Troubled regeneration scheme Regen 2000 is back on track to spend its remaining millions - and looks set to be given extra time to do it.

The seven-year project ran into difficulties last year amid fears it could lose a large chunk of £28 million in grants unless it met spending deadlines.

The group's board was disbanded and replaced with a steering committee which answered to Yorkshire Forward. Bradford Council is now hopeful of regaining some of the decision-making powers.

The regional development agency has now agreed on how £5.9 million will be spent this year to regenerate the Barkerend area - leaving £3.3 million to be allocated.

If all goes well, Regen 2000 will be given an extra year to finish spending the Government cash.

At one point it looked like Yorkshire Forward would pull out of the scheme altogether, but a new delivery plan has now been signed.

Steering group chairman Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: "Securing funding of £5.9 million for the next year from Yorkshire Forward to improve the BD3 area is good news for the community.

"This money will allow us to go ahead with out long-term regeneration plan."

Patrick Wiggins, Bradford Council's director of regeneration and housing, said: "This is a very positive decision and one that is key to the area."

Since 2000, the programme, which aims to reduce unemployment in the eastern part of Bradford's inner city, improve public sector housing and social as well as economic regeneration, has created more than 500 jobs.

Some of its major schemes include:

  • £1.5 million to the Forster Square development, part of the Connecting the City project.
  • £1.5 million towards the Myra Shay football and cricket sports ground.
  • £1.5 million to improve the look of Little Germany.
  • £1.5 million to build a centre of excellence at Carlton Bolling College.
  • £1.4 in the second phase of a match funding housing repair scheme.
New schemes for this year include:
  • a £1.5 million skills academy at Laisterdyke Business College.
  • a £800,000 project to build an incubator park at New Lane, Laisterdyke.
  • the £500,000 Gateways shop fronts scheme - a match-funding project to help local businesses improve the look of their shops.
e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk