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Government to regenerate sink estates and build safe and affordable homes (12 January 2016)

Date: 12/01/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Government to regenerate sink estates and build safe and affordable homes

The Prime Minister has pledged to improve some of the country’s most needy sink housing estates and replace rundown homes with “attractive and safe” housing and affordable homes.

Mr Cameron has said there will be a comprehensive approach to estate regeneration and a new £140 million fund to jump-start regeneration projects.

He added that it was time to end “decades of neglect”, as part of a comprehensive package of measures to end poverty and improve the life chances of the most disadvantaged.

The government will work with 100 housing estates across the country to either radically transform them – or, in the worst cases, knock them down and replace them with high-quality homes.

Mr 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 anti-social behaviour – and poverty has become entrenched, because those who could afford to move have understandably done so.”

The Prime Minister’s announcement comes ahead of a report from property advisor Savills, which demonstrates this approach to regeneration could help catalyse the building of hundreds of thousands of new homes in London alone.

Research director at Savills, Yolande Barnes, said:

“What the Savills research shows is that housing estates can deliver more homes and be made into better neighbourhoods by re-integrating them into the wider street network and creating or repairing the streetscape.

“This creates more highly valued neighbourhoods.

“The signs are that new developments of ‘complete streets’ cost less to build than conventional estate renewal.”

To help tackle the problem, the nationwide strategy will be supported by a new Estate Regeneration Advisory Panel chaired by former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine, who has long championed the regeneration of Britain’s inner cities. The panel will report in detail by the Autumn Statement 2016.

Secretary of State Greg Clark 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.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors are one of the UK’s leading providers of Legal Aid housing advice and can advise social housing tenants and private sector rental tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Anti-social behaviour problems
• Housing Benefit
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For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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