Regeneration damages community. Discuss.

A community activist and local shop-owner, who is also chair of the local Neighbourhood Action Group in Sefton, Liverpool, is challenging a compulsory purchase order that is part of a regeneration scheme.

In a witness statement before the court, Mr Powell says the Klondyke community was once a friendly and viable one, with many generations of family living together in a close-knit neighbourhood.

He says it was a popular neighbourhood which was in demand for people looking for homes.

However, since the start of regeneration in 2004 and resulting compulsory acquisition of properties, he says the area has suffered from increasing anti-social behaviour, including vandalism and joyriding, and he says the trade in his shops has begun to decline. He says he has had to reduce staff as a result, costing jobs to the local area.'

Source: Planning resource.