Future of £1bn plan up for debate

Run-down housing and urban decay will be addressed in the scheme

Residents in some of Leeds' most deprived areas are being given the chance to shape their future with a £1bn regeneration scheme.

A series of exhibitions is being mounted in the east and south of the city as the country's biggest housing improvement plan is unveiled.

During a six-week consultation, plans for the East and South East Leeds (Easel) scheme will be going on show.

Planners are already looking at new shopping centres, houses and schools.

Residents in the Harehills, Gipton, Burmantofts, Cross Green, Halton Moor and Seacroft areas will get their chance to see the preferred options for the project at several locations in the area throughout June and July.

EXHIBITION VENUES Harehills, St Aidan's Hall, 20 June 1200-2000 BST Gipton, St Nicholas Hall, 21 June, 1200-2000 BST Burmantofts, St Agnes Hall, 22 June, 1200-2000 BST Cross Green, St Hilda's Hall, 26 June,1200-2000 BST Halton Moor, East Leeds Leisure Centre, 27 June, 1230-1430 BST Halton Moor, Meadowfield Primary School, 27 June, 1530-2000 BST Seacroft, Seacroft Library, 2 July, 1200-1900 BST Seacroft, Denis Healey Centre, 5 July, 1200-2000 BST

About 5,000 new homes are envisaged in the scheme along with shops, schools, better public transport and environmental improvements.

Councillor Les Carter, who is overseeing the project, said: " This scheme represents a unique investment in some of this city's, indeed some of the country's, most deprived areas.

"It is vital detailed plans are in place early on to ensure it is a success and we have a unified vision about how the area should develop.

"Residents are at the heart of what we are doing in the area and this is another opportunity for them to see and comment on the vision for how their communities will benefit from this massive regeneration initiative."