Bradford Council has unveiled plans to bid for up to £50 million of Government funding to transform Little Horton. Joanne Earp visited the area to gauge the reaction of residents, businesses and councillors.

A CLUSTER OF imposing eight-storey tower blocks dating back to the 1960s dominates the skyline in the Park Lane area of inner city Little Horton.

According to Government statistics it is the second most deprived Council ward in England. But that could all be about to change.

A successful bid for a slice of £800 million worth of New Deal funding would trigger a massive regeneration.

The exact details of how and where money would be spent will be decided at grassroots level - through a series of consultations involving members of the local community.

But, speaking to residents in Little Horton, it is clearly going to take a lot before this once tight-knit community begins to look forward with optimism.

Of the 40-or-so people I spoke to, only four enthused about a possible multi-million pound regeneration. The remainder were not interested.

Many seemed to forget that they were actually still part of a community. But with many three-storey local authority tower blocks housing only a handful of residents - the remaining flats either burned out or boarded up - it is easy to understand why.

Even so, there are plenty of residents who are actively campaigning for a better standard of living.

And that seems to have been one of the deciding factors for a Council faced with the unenviable task of selecting which 'deprived' area of Bradford to put forward for the 'New Deal treatment'.

Councillor Dave Green, chair of the Council's regeneration committee, said: "The community in Little Horton has been involved in a number of activities to improve their neighbourhood and that suggests the area is in the best position to benefit from this particular programme."

Jill Mardon is one local resident who has campaigned tirelessly for a new playground in Little Horton. She said: "It would be fantastic if the Council could secure that kind of money. What a difference it would make. We've got nothing in the way of community facilities round here, either for adults or children."

Leader of the Council and Little Horton ward Councillor, Ian Greenwood, hopes the New Deal will be just the kind of catalyst the area needs.

He said: "There is apathy, but I am confident that such investment would give members of the community the resources to create a sustainable, long-term future for themselves."

If the plan to put Little Horton forward for New Deal funding is approved by the Council's policy and resources committee the bid will be formally submitted on December 14. If approved, consultation with the community will take place before the regeneration programme begins in July next year.

'Desperate need for investment'

Local businesswoman Helena Fruin, 37, who runs Allsorts store off Park Lane, said: "This area is in desperate need of investment. It's a real struggle at the moment - for businesses and residents. I believe that people genuinely want something to happen. Deep down I think the community spirit is still there."

Linda Banks, 47, who has lived in Little Horton Green for 20 years, said: "There seems to be a real lack of communication between residents. I think it's great the Council has chosen Little Horton for this bid. Housing has got to be a major priority. There needs to be something for the younger generation. And there has to be some kind of encouragement given to local businesses - that's how you build up a community."

June Bishop, 67, who lives in a three-storey tower block off Park Lane, said: "This kind of investment would be a massive boost for the area. There are no facilities here at the moment. Another two shops have closed down in the last few months - the most recent was because the owner was threatened with a gun. There are lots of problems which need sorting out but revamping the housing would be a good start."

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