One of the main gateways into Barnsley will receive a record level of investment to improve the area.

Barnsley Council cabinet members approved allocation of funds to the Urban Centre Scheme, which will see continued intervention on the Sheffield Road area of town and tackle poor quality housing and environments in the Garden Street and Beech Street areas.

Following detailed research, the Sheffield Road area has been identified as a priority need for housing intervention, with a current weakness in the housing market in this area.

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Schemes agreed will build on the positive and significant impacts already made in the Sheffield Road/Cemetery Road/Doncaster Road area which formed part of the 2006 to 2008 Strategic Housing Capital Programme. Some £1.3 million was spent to improve around 160 properties.

The second stage, 2008 to 2011, will continue the intervention works. Local members have been consulted and are keen to see an improvement in Beech Street and Garden Street which have been prone to dereliction and decay.

The intervention programme will involve acquisition of land, some small scale clearance and rebuild opportunities. This will create a strong gateway into the town, improving the strength of the housing market as well as the surrounding environment.

Alongside these physical works, actions will also include the development of agreements with landlords of houses in multiple occupation to form management arrangements.

(CD/JM)