£600,000 FOR NORMANTON 3

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Homeowners in line to get repairs to their homes through a regeneration scheme have now been told funding has run out. Derby City Council was awarded £11.5 million by the Government, in 2006, to improve the run-down area of Rose Hill. It was a pilot scheme to see how investing money in private properties could improve areas through raising property values, boost the rental market and preventing homes being abandoned.

The money also helped produce a master plan for the area for the next 10 to 12 years, which would have cost about £160 million to complete. The council had started talks with other organisations and the Government about providing funding for that plan but said the financial crisis in 2008 had "changed the landscape" and meant the project had now been put on hold. Residents who were expecting improvements to their homes this year have been told they will not happen.

Ibrar Ali owns a house in Norfolk Street. His father, Kafait Ali, said they were told the house would get a new roof under the project. He said, "We were told a few weeks ago that the work wouldn't go ahead. We were meant to get a roof costing nearly £4,000. We can't afford that work but it is so badly needed. It leaks and is about 100 years old." Arboretum ward councillor Fareed Hussain said other residents had been informed they would also not be receiving improvements.

He said, "The plan was to regenerate the most rundown area around the old Baseball Ground. But the spending has only done quick-fix solutions in Rosehill Street. Some of the worst areas, such as Holcombe Street, Princes Street and Reeves Road, haven't been done. Now the council is saying it's run out of money and there are 400 properties in desperate need." A council spokesman said some of the initial £11.5 million was used to improve properties to get residents on board with the scheme and make them more positive about the area.

Streets were picked where the council thought the improvements would be most valuable with other roads turned to afterwards but the council spokesman said, "This hasn't proved possible because of the current economic climate." Councillor Phil Ingall, cabinet member for housing and advice at the city council, confirmed money had run out. He said, "Unfortunately some people have not benefited. As soon as more money becomes available they will but there is no money at the moment. You can blame the Labour government for spending it all."

Martin Gadsby, the council's private-sector housing manager, said the authority was mindful there was still "unfinished business" in Rose Hill. He said with Government funding so tight, the council was prioritising which housing schemes were most needed and other projects, mainly the Osmaston Regeneration Scheme, were being put to the top of the list in bids for funding. But he added, "We have reflected in our Local Investment Plan the fact that there is unfinished business in Rose Hill. The plan identifies our priorities and we can come back to it."

The Rosehill Market Renewal Project has seen improvements to 800 properties, including renewing roofs, windows and doors. In addition, around 300 private properties have been brought up to the Decent Homes Standard through improvements inside. Twenty properties were acquired and renovated with social landlords for shared ownership to increase the levels of owner-occupation and give people a greater stake in the area. Improvements were also made to the junction of Douglas Street, Osmaston Road and to Arboretum Park. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Jul/10)

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