The inner city communities of Little Horton, West Bowling and Marshfields have scooped Bradford's single biggest Government grant - a £50 million payout from Tony Blair's flagship New Deal for Communities scheme. Sarah Walsh reports on reaction to the breakthrough and how the cash will be spent.

THE THREE neighbourhoods blessed with the single biggest regeneration grant ever made to Bradford make up one of the most deprived areas in the country.

The next ten years will see £50 million injected into the Manchester Road corridor to correct the damage done by years of unemployment, below average educational standards, poor quality private and public housing and poor health standards.

And people have been directly involved in planning the improvements and will continue to control the purse strings - half of the Board of Directors are community representatives.

Bradford West Labour MP Marsha Singh, who has lobbied local government minister Hilary Armstrong personally, said: "I am absolutely delighted. It's going to be a huge boost and will make a real change to Little Horton and the people of Little Horton.

"It's great news for Bradford because although Little Horton will directly benefit, Bradford as a whole will benefit, there will be a ripple effect.

"The fact that this has been awarded, means the Government has recognised that Little Horton is one of the most deprived areas in the country.

"We are trying to lift these areas - with Government help - out of the state they are in, and to create decent living conditions, employment, education and training for the people who live there."

Councillor Ian Greenwood, who is leader of Bradford Council and represents the Little Horton ward, said: "The prize everyone has been working so hard to win is now on its way. It is the culmination of the tireless contribution of scores of people who have been closely involved in the submission process and the hundreds of residents who have taken part in the consultations into plans for their area.

"Now the hard work begins to deliver the first stage of the ten-year plan and lay firm foundations for the long term regeneration of the area. Under this programme, local people will play a leading role in ensuring priorities and targets are met within their neighbourhood. We aim to make a bold start."

Lil Acklam, a member of the New Deal Board representing the Park Lane area, said: "I'm delighted, it's the result of a great deal of hard work on the part of scores of people who have been involved in this bid including those who worked on the first outline submission proposals for the area.

"Everyone is committed to making a real difference in improving facilities and people's lives. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and making a start on the first year of this people-focused plan."

Robin Hodgins, interim co-ordinator of the project, said: "The board members - in particular the community representatives and the business reps - have done an enormous amount of work. They have given very freely of their time and they thoroughly deserve this success.

"We are delighted to hear we have got £50 million because it's very rare with these initiatives to put your submissions in and get everything you asked for, often you find someone has sliced a big chunk off it - we are delighted we have been given the Full Monty."

David Wilkinson, chief executive of the Bradford Training and Enterprise Council, said: "It's absolutely brilliant, an awful lot of work has gone into preparing this bid both from members of the community, and people paid to make a contribution.

"It's a great delight that their efforts have been rewarded. This offers a much improved future and the task now is to make sure that all the plans come about."

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