£200m boost for ex-mining communities

A funding package worth more than £200 million has been announced by the Government to help transform "deprived" communities and regenerate former coalfield areas.

Three housing projects in South Yorkshire and Lancashire will share £192 million as part of a drive to improve housing and tackle overcrowding.

A separate fund of £25 million will help ex-mining areas attract jobs and improve facilities and housing.

The money was announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who said the Government wanted to reverse decades of decline in communities hit by low housing demand and abandonment.

The three housing schemes take in some of the areas worst affected by sinking property prices and problems like housing abandonment, poverty, poor health and anti-social behaviour.

A major programme to radically improve housing in communities across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley will receive £71 million, while poor quality housing and a collapsing property market across communities in Burnley and Blackburn will be tackled under a scheme receiving £68 million.

The third programme, aimed at turning around a weak housing market where there are neighbourhoods with severe overcrowding next to those blighted by abandoned properties in Rochdale and Oldham, will receive £53.5 million.

Mr Prescott, who made the funding announcement during a visit to South Yorkshire, said: "Good housing is the cornerstone of a successful community. But this is about much more than just getting the buildings right - it's about rebuilding communities and creating places where people want to live and work and which have a long-term future.

"None of this will be achieved overnight. The funding I have announced today is just part of the long-term solution. It will allow the three Pathfinders to begin a massive programme of work and will help to attract many millions more from other sources, including the private sector.

"The North West and South Yorkshire are both vital parts of our vision for the North of England - the Northern Way - a corridor of growth and prosperity stretching from Liverpool to Hull and north to Newcastle. We're getting the housing right. We're building on the potential of the northern regions. We're sending out the message - this is a great place to live."