£140m pledged to regenerate sink estates

The government has launched a £140m scheme to revive 100 run-down estates, chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine.

The project will take a ‘comprehensive approach’ based on a Cabinet Office commissioned report by property company Savills. It will also include the set up of a new Estate Regeneration Advisory Panel, which will guide the programme.

The plans involve either ‘radically transforming’ the estates or knocking them down to replace them with new homes.

Cameron said: “Within these so-called sink estates, behind front doors, families build warm and welcoming homes. But step outside in the worst estates and you’re confronted by brutal high-rise towers and dark alleyways that are a gift to criminals.

“Decades of neglect have led to gangs and antisocial behaviour. And poverty has become entrenched, because those who could afford to move have understandably done so.

Greg Clark, Communities Secretary, said: “We know the worst estates offer huge potential to be revived so that they become thriving communities and places which people want to live and work in. That’s why we’re so determined to kick-start work which will benefit the lives of thousands of people by providing high quality homes.”