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Educational achievement and open spaces have improved in east Manchester, while crime and unemployment levels have been reduced, according to the final evaluation of the area’s new deal for communities (NDC) programme.

The independent report, published today, says the NDC ‘achieved almost everything it set out to do’ and concludes the area has improved substantially since 1999.

Research undertaken by economic development and regeneration consultancy Ekosgen shows the programme’s efforts helped develop community spirit, ownership and involvement, leading to the NDC being recognised nationally as an example of good practice in community-led regeneration.

Commissioned by urban regeneration company New East Manchester (NEM) – which merged with the area’s NDC in 2007 – the evaluation consulted 150 residents and 25 stakeholders including Greater Manchester Police, North Manchester Primary Care Trust and Eastlands Homes.

Key findings included:

• More than 2,800 improved housing association properties
• Increased and improved open spaces and community facilities
• Burglary rates cut by 40%
• Benefit claimants down by a quarter
• Double the number of young people gaining at least five A*-C GCSEs.

A small number of areas for improvement were highlighted including making residents healthier and ensuring ‘depth and quality’ of services despite the end of NDC funding.

Ekosgen also noted ‘the area is still fragile and regeneration has slowed down due to the recession’.

Manchester Council leader Jim Battle credited the NDC with making ‘an essential and lasting contribution to improving the east Manchester area’.

‘The combined effect of the changes means we have reversed a downward spiral and made the area more sustainable, bringing enormous benefits to local people now and in the future,’ he said.

‘We recognise there is still a great deal that needs to be done but the work undertaken over the past decade has given us solid foundations which we must now build on.’

A succession strategy is now being taken forward.

The government’s £2bn NDC programme was launched in 1998 with the aim of reducing the gap between 39 of the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country.

Earlier this year, the Institute of Economic Development warned the incoming government against abandoning investment in vulnerable neighbourhoods like NDCs to avoid undermining progress made over the last decade.

This article is provided courtesy of the news feed at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news

Environmental organisations have written to the government expressing concern over proposed changes to national planning policy.

In the letter to planning minister Greg Clark, representatives from organisations including the Environmental Industries Commission and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, express concern over any withdrawal of planning policy statement 23 (PPS23).

The environmental specialists say PPS23, which covers planning and pollution control, has played a ‘critically important and positive role’ in the regeneration of brownfield sites.

The letter strongly recommends retaining key elements of PPS23 in any new guidance, to avoiding risking ‘a return to the unplanned (and potentially unsafe) redevelopment of brownfield sites that took place up until the relatively recent past’.

The government plans to reform national planning policy with a consolidated national planning framework, covering all forms of development and setting out ‘national economic, environmental and social priorities’.

But the letter’s signatories argue that PPS23 has provided ‘clarity’ and ‘a welcome model approach’.

Other recommendations include:

• Retaining a ‘clear and unequivocal statement’ that contamination is a material planning consideration
• Drawing attention to the opportunities presented by redevelopment to mitigate the risks posed by land affected by contamination
• Advising the local planning authority to always consult their contaminated land officers on brownfield redevelopment sites
• Stressing that it is the developer’s responsibility to carry out the necessary investigation, assessment and remediation.

This article is provided courtesy of the news feed at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news

A market redevelopment project in London that could have stalled as a result of government funding cuts has secured a £13m boost.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) funding will enable work on the £180m Rathbone Market project, in the Canning Town and Custom House area, to begin.

The cash for the scheme – which will provide 650 new homes, a revitalised market and retail and community facilities - had previously been at risk following funding cuts.

But the project is now expected to start this autumn, with Newham Council working with development partner English Cities Fund to take the scheme forward.

Conor McAuley, executive member for regeneration and strategic planning, said: ‘The regeneration of this area is one of the greatest priorities for Newham Council.

‘We have been working very hard with our partners and developers to secure the future of the project. The plans will radically transform the area into a thriving place of choice for existing and new residents and businesses.’

Jonathan Martin, HCA head of area for east London, added: ‘The HCA has worked closely with Newham Council to ensure that this important housing project can get back on track and the council’s wider housing objectives can be met. I’m sure local people will welcome the addition of new community facilities to their area.’

Contractors will begin enabling works in the next few weeks, with a target of completing the first new homes in 2012.