Are there undesirable side effects of mainstream programmes on deprived urban neighbourhoods?
• The New Towns Policy (1950-1985) and the building of large council estates (1950-1980) to tackle slum clearance, are historical examples of programmes being successful in achieving their own objectives, but which had undesirable side effects on deprived neighbourhoods; this persists to some extent because of the long life of new housing and infrastructure. The way in which local authorities prioritise the allocation of council housing has the general effect of concentrating more deprived families into the already most deprived neighbourhoods, where vacancies are most likely to occur. This process enhances the concentration of deprivation and makes it more difficult to secure neighbourhood regeneration.
