The new look Conservative Party this week published its plan for the cities. In a policy taskforce led by Lord Hestletine the Conservatives have come out in favour of renovation plans rather than demolition as the solution to inner city housing.
Nancy Bone, Secretary of Saltwell and Bensham Residents Association, was asked to react to this new policy position by the media. Speaking to the Newcastle Journal Mrs Bone emphasised that the Residents Association was not a party political organisation but she gave credit to the Conservatives for joining the mainstream of thinking in urban regeneration.
Mrs Bone stressed that pathfinder itself had been made obsolete in many areas by the Labour Government's economic success and other policies. She stated that the minimum wage had raised salaries in many inner city areas causing a knock on effect in the housing market. Saltwell and Bensham has trebled its house prices in recent years. The vibrant state of the market was now making it almost too expensive for councils to buy properties just to demolish.
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