Shops are closing down, houses are being bulldozed, the bus service has diminished. Nobody but the desperate would live here

Audrey Raistrick

Jez Lester, the council's director of housing, said the money has funded economic, social and environmental projects.

"A number of schemes have been set up to help people onto training courses, find work and gain access to better jobs, as well as to provide advice on starting new businesses."

But residents want to see physical signs of improvement.

Audrey Raistrick, a founder member of the partnership board, said: "They've taken away three schools, a leisure centre and a library.

"Shops are closing down, houses are being bulldozed, the bus service has diminished. Nobody but the desperate would live here."

Mr Lester said the Newlands scheme does not include any funding for housing improvements.

Racial tensions

Residents also expressed concern that right-wing nationalists are stepping up their activity in the area.

The Bradford riots heightened racial tensions

John Bolton went to the police when extremists scrawled swastikas on his six year-old son and sent him into an Asian shop.

"The promised money would help this estate," he said.

"There's nothing for the kids to do and the racists are targeting their ideals on younger people.

"Extremists will always have a place on estates like this.

Mr Bolton is among those residents who believe the council hope to sell off the estate as private development land.

"A lady down the road fought a compulsory purchase order on her house.

Lovely woods surround all this. If you look beyond the bulldozers, it could be picturesque.

John Bolton

"The council let the house next door to her go to rack and ruin. Her home's worth nothing now."

"Lovely woods surround all this. If you look beyond the bulldozers, it could be picturesque."

John Hodgson, whose family have lived in Rasvenscliffe for 40 years, said: "They're trying to get everyone to move out.

"This place is worth substantially more as private development land than as a council estate."

The council is now preparing a report into what is planned for the last three years of the regeneration project.