§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what estimate he has made of the impact of English Partnerships decision to focus their resources on housing renewal pathfinder areas and large strategic projects on the regeneration of Luneside East, Lancaster; [131622]
(2) what estimate he has made of the impact on the Government's regeneration and anti-poverty strategies of English Partnership's decision to focus their resources on house renewal pathfinder areas and large strategic projects; [131623]
(3) what discussions he has had with English Partnerships about their decision to focus their resources on housing renewal pathfinder areas and large strategic projects. [131624]
§ Keith HillI understand that my Hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre recently met the Chief Executive of English Partnerships, along with representatives of Lancaster City Council and the North West Development Agency, to discuss regeneration needs in both Lancaster and Morecambe. English Partnerships is committed to helping the Council secure the regeneration of the most deprived parts of the City. At the Luneside site, the public sector partners will now be working together to draw up revised plans encompassing the acquisition and remediation of the site, and considering at the same time how private sector developers can be drawn into the equation, so that the development strategy can take their aspirations into account. In addition, EP has agreed to fund an initial study focussed on the needs of the West End of Morecambe. It would also be prepared in principle to work with the City Council in supporting a local management team whose aim would be to renew the area through the demolition or upgrading of derelict and vacant housing.