Manchester City Council has welcomed the news that it has been awarded over £29 million for housing improvements over the next four years.

The bulk of the money will be spent on homes in the Collyhurst and West Gorton areas, although detailed plans are still to be agreed on exactly which properties and when. The money is spread over four years with the majority of it in 2013/14 and 2014/15. £3.6 million is available in the first two years.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "Residents of Collyhurst were rightly disappointed and angry that the Private Finance Initiative which would have transformed their neigbourhoods was withdrawn, but following intense pressure and a meeting with the housing minister, we are pleased that we have at long last got some money to start the process. "This announcement is a step in the right direction and wouldn't have been possible without the support of the residents of Collyhurst estates and local councillors.

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"While we will be prioritising Collyhurst, the Council still owns other homes across the city where we will also need to carry out some investment with this money. Over the next few weeks we will be drawing up more detailed plans of where we need to spend this money.

"We will continue to press government for more funding and use or own resources where possible to regenerate Collyhurst, which remains a priority area for the Council."

(CD/GK)