Dawn of a new era

Ambitious proposals to breathe new life into deprived communities in Barkerend and Leeds Road today received approval.

An outline bid from Bradford Council and its partners for £25 million has been accepted by Government regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward.

Full proposals will now be worked up in a bid to win the cash from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

If the bid is successful, it could be the catalyst for millions of pounds of matched funding from Europe and the public and private sector.

Little Germany and the city centre are also included in the bid which focuses on jobs, health, tackling high levels of crime, and building communities.

Today's news was greeted with joy by the Bradford 3 Association - an umbrella organisation representing the community and organisations.

Chairman Ismail Lather said: "This has been achieved after a lot of hard work in a very short time.

"The way is now paved to bring some of these projects to fruition, with the hope this will improve the conditions of the houses and environment and enhance the skills of people to enable better job prospects."

He said they also hoped to boost businesses and improve the achievements of children leaving school.

"We had no doubt that our bid would be successful, as this community has waited a very long time for a massive regeneration programme," he said.

But he stressed that even if the district's biggest SRB bid drew in the funds, more cash would be needed from outside.

Conditions in parts of the area covered by the bid are said to be among the worst in Britain.

In Bradford Moor more than 30 per cent of the private houses are unfit to live in, compared with a district average of 10.5 per cent.

Unemployment is almost three times above the district average, and deaths through cancer are more than 45 per cent above the national level.

The grim statistics are compounded by crime figures well above the rest of the district and GCSE successes more than three times below the national average.

But the targets proposed to breathe new life into the area include:

A Community employment agency and supply chain project to encourage larger purchasers to buy locally;

MORE young men involved in health activity and sports;

MAJOR improvements to Leeds Road to make it a showpiece shopping area and efficient transport route;

BUILDING new homes in a programme which would also bring jobs and training for residents;

NEW services for elderly and Asian disabled people;

HEALTH advisory services for women.

The Council's Executive member for regeneration Councillor Dave Green said: "Today's announcement is excellent news but there is still a long way to go. Everyone must now work together to prepare more detailed plans showing how the community aim to tackle deep seated problems through long term, locally led solutions.

Kamaljit Singh of Bradford Joinery Manufacturers, Leeds Road, said: "Today's news represents a great opportunity for the area and local firms to look towards attracting new business investment. Hopefully, we can look forward to seeing new jobs and skills within the area.

Ward councillor Ghanzanfar Khaliq (Lab, Bradford Moor), who said last month that conditions for many people were worse than animals, said: "I am very, very pleased. People have waited for this for a very long time and it would mean a brighter future for them."

Within the next few weeks, a shadow board, including the council, community and businesses will be set up to work on the final bid.

It will be submitted to Yorkshire Forward in mid May. The Government is expected to announce its decision in July and the scheme would begin the following month.

Coun Green said :"I would urge local residents to get involved in the process. People power is central to the success of this bid."

Bradford is now one of 15 community partnerships bidding for a share from the £280 million budget.

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