Relief as £180 million Leeds regeneration project gets government green light

A £180 million bid to regenerate some of Leeds' most deprived areas won't fall victim to the spending cuts and will go ahead, the government has announced. Leeds council had submitted a bid to the government for the funds to regenerate the Little London, Beeston Hill and Holbeck areas some time ago. But concerns had been growing in recent months that the project may fall casualty to government cuts, leaving the areas in limbo and without investment. Today, the council has learned that the £180m project has been given the go-ahead, The money willbe used to revamp the areas with outdated, unsustainable properties demolished and around 400 new homes built. More than 1,200 properties across the three areas will also be refurbished and a host of environmental and landscaping improvements made. Councillor Peter Gruen, the executive member for neighbourhoods and housing, said: "With so much of our funding being cut recently, many people were beginning to fear the worst about the future of this project. "It has taken a lot of hard work to reach this point, so it is fantastic that we are now in a position where we can invest significant resources in Little London, Beeston Hill and Holbeck in the coming years and provide these areas' residents with the homes and neighbourhoods they want and deserve." Hyde Park and Woodhouse councillor Gerry Harper also welcomed the announcement. He said: "This is an extremely significant regeneration project. For Little London alone it will see 125 new homes built, a further 900 properties refurbished and environmental improvements made, including new shops and a community hub. These are new homes, facilities and amenities that will make a real difference to the lives of local residents." The Little London, Beeston Hill and Holbeck regeneration project will be delivered through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), which sees public sector projects delivered in partnership with the private sector and using private investment. Homes for older people axed The announcement, as part of the government's spending review, also saw the council informed that the next round of bidding for PFI credits has been withdrawn, including the Lifetime Neighbourhoods for Leeds project which would have built up to 700 new homes for older people across the city. The council has said will look at alternative investment opportunities for this project, working with government and other potential partners. Gruen added: "While it is disappointing that the next round of bids has been cancelled, we will be looking at a range of viable options for sites in this scheme and remain committed to the needs and priorities of these communities." What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.