September 2001 Community activists launch "degeneration" website (1 September 2001)
1 September 2001
![[Scenes of devastation at Ravenscliffe]](ravenscliffe.jpg)
Angry community activists in Greengates and Ravenscliffe have set up their own "degeneration" website spelling out their concerns at "missing millions" in government regeneration cash.
But a spokesperson told KDIS:
"The author of the site must remain temporarily anonymous to prevent victimisation."
Over 150 angry residents gathered at a public meeting last month to voice their concerns about the Newlands Partnership board which oversees the regeneration scheme. The meeting, called by the Greengates and Ravenscliffe Community Forum, heard speakers demand the sacking of the scheme's boss, Councillor Bob Sowman. Sowman has been the focus of a number of allegations in connection with the scheme recently, but has ben cleared by the council in each case.
Dominic Sheeran, chairman of the Ravenscliffe and Greengates Association, spoke for many when he said that Ravenscliffe estate had seen none of the £17.5 million regeneration cash:
"We don't even know if there is going to be any regeneration. What we have seen is social exclusion as a process. One by one, our services have been taken away from us."
He said the closure of three local schools, including Eccleshill Upper, had "ripped the heart out of the community".
Yorkshire Forward, the government's regional development agency, has sent in accountants KPMG to check out the effectiveness of all the regeneration schemes in the district - including Newlands. The move follows the recent riots, which included disturbances in the Ravenscliffe area.
The website spokesperson told KDIS:
"We have received a letter from the partnership board saying that they are to be visited by Yorkshire Forward and KPMG. We have no confidence in the process ( they have done this bullshit before ) and are demanding a best value investigation by the Audit Commission."
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