It needn’t be about small change

While the figure is of David-like proportions to the Goliath £1.2bn allocated to the original nine pathfinders, it still presents the three “mini-pathfinders” – as some have taken to calling them – with the opportunity to really start tackling the problem of low housing demand in their areas.

As we reveal on pages 18-19 this week, starting from small means could potentially give you an advantage. The three new players might only have been allocated funding through to 2008, unlike their bigger pathfinder brothers who were bestowed with a 15-year financial guarantee when created, but they’re clearly determined to make the best of their lot.

As Jim Johnsone, director of the market renewal group Tees Valley Living, puts it, his target is “to make sure [Tees Valley] is performing as well as, if not better than, the pathfinders”.

Johnsone’s task may be easier than he first thought. The publication of an ODPM House of Commons select committee report a fortnight ago has highlighted some of the major concerns around the pathfinders (HT 8 April, page 10). Revealing an exponential rise in house prices in some of the regions, Empty Homes and Low-Demand Pathfinders suggests that, should house prices continue to climb, the market renewal areas will need to review their demolition programmes as a “matter of urgency” and concentrate instead on neighbourhood management and housing refurbishment.

With rather more limited budgets, the three latest players don’t have the luxury of 15 years’ grace to see them through problems of this nature. They have just three years to deliver – and it’s amazing how a short timeframe can focus the mind.

The mini-pathfinders will doubtless learn from the problems the original batch has encountered

The mini-pathfinders will doubtless learn from the problems the original batch has encountered. They’ll recognise that house prices could well increase as they begin making improvements in their areas, and will have learned that they must strike a balance between their demolition and improvement plans as a result.

They will bear in mind that improvement isn’t a cheap undertaking either – especially when improvements have only a limited life. And they’ll naturally build effective consultation into their demolition strategy.

At least, this is what we hope the new market renewal areas will take away from their forerunners’ experiences. Three years doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre or mistakes when you’re the little guy.