§ Mr. Neil TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what support is being made available to the low demand pathfinder project announced on 10 April. [57612]
§ Mr. ByersI am today announcing that we are to invest £25 million in the nine low demand pathfinder projects. This investment is being financed from the Capital Modernisation Fund.
The funding will be made available in shares of £2.66 million to each pathfinder project with £1 million used for collective monitoring and evaluation of projects. This will enable each pathfinder to start early the process of preparing the strategic plan that will inform current and future investment in the pathfinder area. The strategic plan will include proposals for action for a 10 to 15-year period designed to transform the area. It will also be essential to see evidence that other non-housing spend is being brought to bear to ensure that a comprehensive and coherent approach is being taken to renewal.
The Government are determined to tackle the problem of low demand. This investment will speed up the necessary preparatory work, facilitate establishing local delivery vehicles and allow urgent action to be taken.
798W