Walter Murray Producer Politics Show South

Hastings is the region's most deprived city

Charles Darwin did not have them in mind when he drew up his theory of evolution. But our cities and towns are constantly evolving, taking on appearances which would never have been dreamed of a few decades ago.

Right across the south, eager teams of planners are spending vast sums of money in British and Euro grants on re-shaping the look of our streets.

Like dentists, they're actively addressing "urban decay", filling in the gaps and re-modelling in some cases, while extracting and starting from scratch in others.

Regenerating, revitalising ... these projects can improve the look of a place aesthetically. But underneath the gloss, the schemes need to tackle the core issues of deprivation and collapsing neighbourhoods.

Deprivation is not a term generally associated with the South and South East region. From rural Dorset to the commuter belts of Kent and the Thames Valley, affluence is considered to be the norm.

Or is it?

Not so, according to the rather bleakly titled "Deprivation Index", published by the Government's Urban Policy Unit.

The latest figures relate back to the year 2000 and whilst "The North" dominates the list, with areas of Manchester and Liverpool seen as among those with the greatest need for assistance, there are pockets south of the Watford Gap where unemployment, housing problems, low income and other social factors mean there is plenty of scope for the design teams and architects.

The most deprived

Hastings in East Sussex has the unenviable honour of being the region's most deprived city. Nationally, it fills 27th place on the league table comprising more than 350 local authorities.

Also making the "top 100" are: Thanet in Kent (60th), the Isle of Wight (73rd), Southampton (76th) and Brighton (94th).

The index is three years out of date and hangs over towns and cities like some grim spectre. But it also acts as a spur. Action is being taken in many of the worst affected areas to reverse the years of decline.

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is one of eight such bodies appointed across Britain to oversee change.

Five point plan

In Hastings, for example, a 5-point plan has been drawn up identifying the core themes of transport, education, "urban renaissance", business and enterprise, and information technology.

The Government gave its backing in March last year in the form of a �38m grant, channelled through SEEDA over three years.

A task force is currently developing a 10-year blueprint, which still requires private investment to the tune of �200m!

If all works out, the results will include 4,000 new jobs, a university campus and an 80-bed seafront hotel. According to some, Hastings is set to become "the new Brighton", an "e-city for the 21st century".

Then there is the Isle of Wight

Being cut off from the hurly burly of the mainland may seem idyllic, but it brings with it huge economic repercussions. While there has been talk of a road bridge connection, it never got off the ground.

County councillor, Harry Rees, pushes the island's cause at every opportunity as a member of both SEEDA and the South East Regional Assembly.

He believes local residents are being "misrepresented" in Europe by being lumped in together with Hampshire when it comes to grant allocations. As a result, he claims, they're being denied �250m in funding.

He insists that like any other island in the EU, the Isle of Wight must be treated on its own merits. He is planning to press home his argument with a petition to the European Parliament later this year.

Cowes is earmarked for a multi-million pound redevelopment.

Wealthy Cowes?

As Harry embarks on his cash crusade, there is some money already heading his way for regeneration. Cowes, for instance, is earmarked for a multi-million pound re-development.

The front door for many visitors to the Isle of Wight, it is viewed in many circles as a playground of wealthy "yachties", a kind of Monte Carlo!

But behind this facade, Cowes has problems. It has the basic infra structure, but there are those who believe much of it is tired and in need of replacement.

Hence, a huge seven year plan to revamp the town. SEEDA has started the ball rolling with a cash injection of �10m. The aim is to bring in new hotels and businesses, increase employment and enhance the local environment.

Fears for the future of business

Not everyone is happy with ringing the changes. Mike Salter runs Harley Racing Yachts, a small, specialist sailing manufacturer set up 14 years ago.

Mr Salter fears for the future of his company in the push to regenerate Cowes. He believes the re-zoning of waterfront land will mean his premises giving way to housing.

Moving to other sites on the island simply isn't an option because depth requirements for launching the boats he makes.

Brian Bailey is another businessman who might have to "up stumps" and move. He runs a firm which modifies vehicles to specific needs. But despite the potential "sword of Damocles" hanging over his enterprise, he believes Project Cowes as it's called, can only be good for the Isle of Wight in general.

While schemes such as Hastings and Cowes are "headline-grabbers", regeneration is quietly taking place in many other areas of the south.

Former collieries transformed

At picturesque Ventnor �2.5m is being pumped into a making a new yacht haven. In the Kent Coalfields four former collieries are being transformed into a range of commercial, business and recreational properties.

While there is public money for all of these, again their fates are largely dependent on private investment. And decisions about that are usually based on profit, not social need.

Have your say

So is the money being spread too thinly? Should the Government agencies only be targeting the areas in real crisis, suffering the worst deprivation?

Are they expecting too much from the private sector to make many of the projects work? What do you think? We'd love to hear from you.

You can contact us using the form below.

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