A ‘TOP secret’ meeting looking at possible regeneration in Lillington has been held with a former deputy prime minister.
Warwick District Council recently hosted a 17-strong panel of regeneration experts, chaired by Lord Heseltine and co-chaired by housing minister Brandon Lewis. The panel have been tasked with looking at estate regeneration strategies in ‘deprived communities’.
The meeting was held at Lillington Community Centre, which residents say points to a regeneration plan for the area – something which the council denies.
Diana Taulbut of Protect Lillington Greenbelt told The Observer: “Lillington has a thriving community and certainly does not need reviving.
“Residents are proud of our area and equating Lillington with a ‘failed estate’ is ludicrous and a sham. Lillington East has been used for decades to dump people from around the region who have been evicted. It is a testament to the community that things aren’t worse as a result.
“Now the council want to dilute and disperse the disadvantaged. Bulldozing the predominantly social housing and replacing it with more market housing is simply the worst form of social engineering.”
But the district council says the meeting was one of many being held by the panel at different locations around the country.
They also said the panel was interested in work being done by the district and county councils to look at regeneration options in Lillington.
A spokeswoman said: “While most of the meeting was a closed one, the council was invited to explain the work we have been doing locally and discuss regeneration issues with the panel.
“It should be made clear the meeting was not an opportunity for the council to bid for resources to support regeneration.
“At this time the council has not committed to any regeneration proposals in Lillington and if it wishes to take any further proposals forward it will carry out full public consultation before these are finalised.”
