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Tees Valley, West Yorkshire and West Cumbria will share 拢65m from the housing market renewal fund from April 2006. They will not receive the funding directly but through their regional housing boards, and it is only guaranteed from 2006 to 2008. In contrast, the original nine pathfinders were asked to produce 10- to 15-year action plans.

It is thought 拢15m will be available in 2006/7 with the remaining 拢50m allocated in 2007/8.

The allocation was widely welcomed in the areas, which were disappointed to miss out when the nine pathfinders were announced in 2003 and have since campaigned for recognition of their own extensive low-demand problems. But they say more money, and funding certainty, will be needed beyond 2008 if any long-term impact is to be achieved.

Lindsay Greenfield, director of West Yorkshire Housing Partnership pathfinder, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 unclear how much follow-through there鈥檒l be. Estimates suggest over the next 15-plus years 拢800m to 拢900m is needed. The funding gap is 拢400m to 拢500m.鈥�

Five new growth areas in the South-east and adjoining regions will share a 拢40m pot. Until consultation on the areas is completed, they will not be officially confirmed, but significant amounts are likely to be spent in South Hampshire, including Portsmouth and Southampton. The money will be made available between 2006 and 2008.

The new growth areas, covering Portsmouth and Southampton, joins the original four growth areas in Milton Keynes, the M11 corridor, Ashford and the Thames Gateway.