Birmingham's market renewal pathfinder looks set to be named the first of the nine pathfinders to have its plans approved
The announcement, expected next week, will give the area an immediate £2.6bn boost and lead to swift action on site assembly and compulsory purchase orders.

The North East Birmingham and East Sandwell Pathfinder project is chaired by Castle Vale Housing Action Trust chief executive Angus Kennedy. It submitted its plans to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 18 August, after announcing outline plans in July.

It is understood the ODPM will confirm next week that Birmingham's is the first pathfinder to meet the performance targets that trigger the cash injection.

John Downie of Birmingham council is acting as leader of the pathfinder support team. He said if it is approved, the team hopes to have a 15-20 year strategy produced by the end of 2003 to build "diverse but cohesive and flourishing neighbourhoods with their own character that make people want to live, work and spend their leisure time there".

The plans will involve a mix of clearance and development and some adaptation and modification of existing areas. But Downie said there were a few "quick wins" that would be tackled urgently. "There are some early opportunities that would not compromise the longer-term plans that spring out to us," he said.

The pathfinder covers 60,000 properties and 160,000 people in the Smethwick, West Bromwich, Handsworth, Winson Green, Rotton Park and Lozells districts.

  • The Birmingham Social Housing Partnership and the National Housing Federation have made a joint submission to the city's housing commission, demonstrating the commitment of registered social landlords to working in partnership and challenging the negative perceptions tenants have of RSLs.

    The commission, set up in the wake of the "no" vote to stock transfer, is taking evidence until December.