Two years into the housing market renewal programme and the salad days seem to be over already. Earlier this year, the government extended the number of areas benefiting from the initiative, sending out a vote of confidence. As part of the ODPM's five-year housing plan, deputy prime minister John Prescott announced pound;65 million for three new market renewal pathfinders in the Tees Valley, West Cumbria and West Yorkshire in January. Meanwhile, the existing pathfinders are working on updating their business plans. Oldham-Rochdale has just announced that it is bidding for pound;70 million over the next two years. But since Prescott's announcement, the initiative seems as though it is running out of steam. Groups are being set up across the north of England to fight the pathfinders' demolition plans. At the same time, English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley and his allies in the conservation movement have become increasingly bold in questioning the programme.
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