PFI scheme given government green light

This morning the Save Little London Campaign was sent a press release via a journalist from Leeds City Council announcing that the government had finally approved the PFI scheme for Little London. This comes after the failure of a High Court challenge by a tenant and the council's agreement to guarantee to fund the escalating costs of the PFI revealed in documents leaked to Save Little London.

We have pasted the press release to this news item below and will shortly be making a statement. The campaign is not over. It has only just begun.

--------------------
Leeds City Council
29 November 2006

LITTLE LONDON IS ALREADY CHANGING AS £90M FUNDING BID IS APPROVED

The government has given the go-ahead to Leeds City Council’s plan for a £95m Private Financial Initiative (PFI) scheme which will transform one of Leeds’ most deprived areas.

Residents are already seeing changes due to an environmental pride team dedicated to the area and extra police patrols, looking to tackle crime and grime issues.

Plans for the comprehensive regeneration of the Little London area, to the north of the city centre, are now set to become a reality. The scheme was backed by residents in the area in February, when a huge door-to-door consultation exercise was undertaken. Almost two thirds of those who responded were in favour of this option.

The regeneration will include massive improvements to all council homes including new kitchens, bathrooms and windows. There will be substantial environmental improvements to provide more useable local space for local residents.

As well as refurbishment, the area will also see new-built homes, either for sale or rent. These will be developed on sites throughout the estate and will be replacing some homes lost through demolition of present stock which has been deemed unfit for refurbishment.

The next step in the process will be to appoint a contractor, who will deliver this vision of a transformed Little London.


Councillor Les Carter, executive board member for Neighbourhoods and Housing, said: “This is fantastic news for the people of Little London and for Leeds, this scheme promises to deliver vastly better housing and a cleaner, greener Little London for the next 20 years.

“I am delighted that the government have approved funding for what is a groundbreaking project that will make a massive difference for everyone living in the area.

“There are those that have fought every step of the way to stop this scheme, but we are convinced that this is the only solution we have to dealing with the issues we know people in Little London are concerned about – poor housing, anti-social behaviour, crime and public facilities.”

Members of the community are being asked to get involved in the scheme through a number of groups to be set up, looking at communication, the appointment of a contractor and delivery of the scheme. If anyone is interested they are asked to contact Dayle Lynch on 0113 305 9495 or dayle.lynch@leeds.gov.uk