RE the article about the slow start to regeneration (LT, December 27). Elevate chief Max Steinberg comments that transforming houses in rundown areas around East Lancs is, in fact, a 10 to 15 year programme.

However, he further says that the next three years will really get to the heart of the matter.

What he and his chairman David Taylor fail to tell us is that the millions spent on such programmes are merely a cosmetic exercise.

The shells, ie roof, walls, windows and doors that are replaced and rebuilt, give these so-called regenerated old houses only, in my opinion, a cosmetic facelift, with the insides in most cases receiving little or no attention at all.

Just what kind of regeneration is that?

As for demolition of complete areas, who makes these decisions? In the vast majority of cases it would have been cheaper to refurbish inside and out, providing decent all housing.

Yet Steinberg and company have continued against all advice to break up long-standing stable communities who are offered only quite meagre compensation in comparison to present-day house prices which have risen steeply, thereby preventing these folk from rejoining the property market through no fault of their own.

However, it is typical of Labour policy on housing at both national and local level.

It is long overdue for Government and local councils to properly conduct their so-called present consultations instead of paying only lip service.

MR P NEWTON, Redlam, Blackburn.