£8m grant could open doors to revamp housing estates

The grant from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, which was announced in April, signals long-awaited progress on regeneration in Gordon Place, South Elmsall, Westend at Hemsworth, the City Estate in Fitz- william and the Girnhill estate in Featherstone.

When they meet on Tuesday members of Wakefield Council’s cabinet will be asked whether they want to accept the grant.

The council has previously given approval to dispose of Girnhill. The cabinet report recommends approval to sell the remaining three housing sites at Gordon Place, Westend and City Estate which would then allow regeneration to go ahead and stimulate housing growth.

Coun Denise Jeffery, deputy leader with responsibility for regeneration and economic growth, said the £8m grant represented a big boost for the district and would enable much-needed housing development in what had become very run-down estates.

“People in these four areas have waited a long time for new housing and this grant enables us to move forward, removing the barriers which have been holding up housing renewal,” said Coun Jeffery. “By accepting the Regional Growth Fund grant we can now take steps to stimulate housing growth which otherwise would have stalled until the housing market recovers sufficiently to generate private sector interest.

“We submitted our bid for funding in January after other Government funding was withdrawn and I am delighted that we were successful and can now move forward and bring much-needed new homes to these communities.”

The proposed programme, which runs until 2017, will include the building of up to 700 high- quality homes, creating 105 jobs and 68 apprenticeships. It is also expected to promote confidence in the private sector and help the council meet its affordable housing targets.

A report to the committee says securing cash “will contribute positively to targets for providing affordable housing, job creation and tackling fuel poverty”.