Seven New Deal for Communities bids which failed to impress ministers earlier this year were this week finally given the go-ahead amid signs the flagship programme's timetable is slipping
The seven, including Hull - deputy prime minister John Prescott's own constituency - were told in February to rework proposals and "develop their partnership and team vision" (Housing Today issue 121).

But Prescott this week said the partnerships had used the last four months well. He said: "They are now well-placed to take full advantage of this opportunity to deliver lasting change for their neighbourhood."

The seven pathfinders - Brighton, Hull, Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham and Tower Hamlets - will work up detailed plans over the next few months in the second phase of the £800m housing and regeneration programme.

However, a spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions suggested that implementation - phase three - may be delayed for several months.

Under the original timetable published last year, the DETR made a firm commitment to make announcements allowing implementation at the end of July.

But the department is now saying that phase three is unlikely until "later in the year" when the Social Exclusion Unit's policy action teams have reported and their recommendations have been fully digested.

Graham Burgess, a member of the steering group for the Liverpool pathfinder said it could be next year before detailed plans were finally worked up.

He said: "The additional period was necessary and the government recognised this — Kensington is a large area and it takes time to develop plans."

Kensington, an area east of the city centre was chosen because it had not benefited from a co-ordinated investment programme for over 20 years and yet had significant potential for economic development, he added.

Source

Housing Today