News Release, Leeds City Council

6 March 2006

LITTLE LONDON RESIDENTS BACK £85M REGENERATION SCHEME

After a massive consultation effort, residents in Little London have given the thumbs-up to a scheme that will see their area transformed over the next 30 years.

Two thirds of residents who responded to a massive consultation exercise have said that, of the two schemes on offer to regenerate the area, they prefer the £85m Comprehensive Regeneration option.

This scheme will see at least £35,000 spent on each and every council house, £14m spent on making Little London cleaner and safer, 125 new council homes built, 400 houses or flats for sale – of which 75% will be low cost for local people – while the local shops, community centre and housing office will be completely rebuilt.

The consultation exercise saw council workers knocking on every door on the estate to explain the options for improving Little London. Almost 70% of people responded to the survey, asking whether they wanted a five-year £20m ‘Decent Homes’ scheme, or the bigger Comprehensive Regeneration. Almost two thirds said the latter was their preferred option.

Officers and tenants representatives will consider the results of the survey before making a recommendation to the council’s Executive Board in April. If the Comprehensive Regeneration scheme option is chosen, it will be incorporated into a bid to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which will decide whether to give the scheme its final go-ahead.

Councillor Les Carter, executive board member for Neighbourhoods and Housing, said:

“This scheme has its critics, but the people of Little London have recognised that this is the only way forward for the area.

“It still remains crucial that we work with the residents and their representatives as this scheme is to improve their homes and their community.

“We must now take these ambitious plans forward and set about ensuring Little London remains a strong, vibrant community with good housing and first-rate community facilities.”

Local ward member Councillor Linda Rhodes-Clayton said:

“As ward members we welcome the news that two-thirds of people in Little London support giving the area the kind of investment it has needed for many years.

“This is the only chance we have to get such a large amount of money spent on dealing with the issues residents raise with us every day, such as the condition of housing stock, local facilities, anti-social behaviour and litter.”

The results of the survey have been confirmed by Banks of the Wear (BOW), the agency appointed by the council and Leeds North West Homes to act as Independent Tenants Advisor on the project.

As well as support for the Comprehensive Regeneration, there was strong support amongst residents for investment in both the housing stock and the environment, as well as moves to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime.

For media enquiries please contact: Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council Press Office (0113) 224 3937, e-mail michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk ENDS