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Anger over Kings Norton estate cash
THE £15 million transformation of a Birmingham estate is being held up due to Government cash shortages, it was claimed today.
City housing chief Coun John Lines said he does not know when the cash, which was to be spent on the Kings Norton Three Estates, would be handed over.
The money was set to be spent on a range of improvements including the redevelopment and renovation of rundown housing under the New Deal for the Communities scheme.
Now the city’s housing department has been told that the £15 million of Government money, expected to be announced late last year, has been delayed with no indication of when it will be paid.
The multi-million pound redevelopment, given the go-ahead by the city council last September, involves the demolition of 640 council homes and 178 owner occupied homes and the building of 1,000 new properties.
The redevelopment was supported by 93 per cent of residents and local MP Lynne Jones.
Now housing staff are becoming frustrated at the hold up.
City housing chief John Lines said: "I am concerned that central government cannot find the cash they promised the council almost 12 months ago.
"I am very keen to inform the residents of Kings Norton as to when the long awaited regeneration will start. The city council is committed to invest over £49 million over the life of the redevelopment and we want to press ahead with the works."
A Government spokeswoman confirmed the delay and said she did not know when the decision will be made.
"The department is not yet in a position to give approval," she said.
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