People are the key to city regeneration says Cameron (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

People are the key to city regeneration says Cameron

6:27am Saturday 24th February 2007 in News By Paddy McGuffin

People are the key to regeneration - that was the message from Conservative leader David Cameron and former Thatcher cabinet member Lord Heseltine when they visited Bradford.

The Conservative Cities Task Force, which Lord Heseltine is leading, visited two sites in the city, the Lighthouse Group on Great Horton Road and redevelopment sites in the city centre, including Broadway.

Lighthouse is a charitable organisation which works with young people in educational crisis. It was founded in 1987 and since then has twice been awarded the Social Enterprise of the Year Award, in 2004 and 2006. Mr Cameron was enthusiastic about the project, meeting young people Lighthouse has helped.

At the centre there was a presentation from chief executive Tim Morfin and some of the young people chatted to the pair about what they did there.

After the meeting Mr Cameron said: "They have shown that they are getting excellent results. If we want to get rid of the guns and gangs culture we need long term investment and support in our communities."

Asked what, if elected, the Conservative party would do for areas such as Bradford he said: "I feel we have to reach out further in all areas of the community. We have some very strong councillors, council leaders and MPs in Yorkshire such as Philip Davies in Shipley.

"Regeneration is absolutely the key. We need investment not just in terms of putting up new buildings but in people."

He dismissed the suggestion that the previous Conservative administration had neglected the north of England. He said: "I don't think that was the case. But I don't want to talk about the past, I'm here to talk about the future."

He said it was about who had the right ideas. And added that he believed it was vital to have strong family units and communities as well as long term plans.

He said: "I think anyone watching the Prime Minister will see someone responding with knee-jerk short-term reactions."

The Task Force then went to Manor Row and inspected the site of the Broadway shopping development, then Mr Cameron and Lord Heseltine walked through the city centre to City Hall, where they were greeted by Shipley MP Mr Davies.

Mr Cameron said: "I have been to Bradford several times in recent years. We are here today to hear about the council's plans for regeneration. In particular the canal scheme is very interesting. You can really get a sense of the regeneration taking place here."