From the Wikipedia page [1] The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) was a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government, with directors appointed by the Secretary of State, including some democratically elected councillors. It was an urban Development Corporation charged with redevelopment of two areas of northeast London, England that are within the Thames Gateway. From October 2005, it took over certain planning functions from the councils of the borough councils in its designated area.