The Castlefields Regeneration Programme has been chosen as one of RENEW Northwest's five Exemplar Learning Projects for 2007.

The RENEW Northwest Exemplar Learning Programme, now in it's third year, ensures that lessons learnt from delivering groundbreaking regeneration projects are shared with the 15,000 regeneration practitioners working across the region. RENEW Northwest is the Regional Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Communities, commissioned by Government and funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, to improve skills and quality of regeneration professionals to deliver sustainable communities.

The Castlefields Regeneration Programme received the coverted status as 'a regeneration good practice partner' for its ability to transform what was classed as an unpopular 1970s housing estate. The challenge for the Castlefields Regeneration Programme was to adopt a deliverable regeneration masterplan for the area that would improve people's lives, enhance the general environment, stabilise the housing market, attract private investment and improve access to shops and services.

RENEW Northwest's Exemplar Learning Programme showcases projects that have made a positive contribution to the regeneration of an area, whilst fostering community spirit and cohesion and displaying qualities of imagination, innovation, inspiration and determination.

Director of RENEW Northwest, Phil Barton said "Regeneration and delivering sustainable communities can often be hard and demanding work, which requires a range of skills, vision and a degree of risk taking. We were very impressed by the way that the team behind the Castlefields Regeneration Programme have tackled one of the regions more demanding areas to totally transform it. This is the third year that RENEW Northwest has run the Exemplar Learning Programme and we are delighted that the Castlefields Regeneration Programme is one of five successful schemes awarded the Exemplar learning status and we look forward to working with them over the coming months".

RENEW Northwest will work with the Partners involved in the Castlefields Regeneration Programme to disseminate the learning and good practice from the Castlefields Regeneration to other regeneration professionals in the Northwest.

Councillor Rob Polhill, Halton Borough Council's Executive Board Member for Regeneration, said "The Castlefields Regeneration Programme is a project that is involving the whole community in creating the sort of place that they will be happy to live and work in.  All the agencies are coming together and working well to make sure that the vision will become reality".

"We are delighted to receive Exemplar status for Castlefields Regeneration Programe.  This acknowledges the hard work and commitment of all partners, including residents who have been involved from day one.  This project is making a fundamental difference to the lives of people who live in Castlefields and to have this recognised by RENEW is fantastic" - Clare Budden, Managing Director, CDS Housing.

"Local residents have been at the heart of the partnership" said Phil Gandy, Managing Director, Liverpool Housing Trust (Part of the Vicinity Group) "and we are absolutely delighted that their efforts are now reflected in the RENEW Northwest Award.  This is a long term partnership and we are strongly committed to building on its success by providing greater choice and opportunity for the people of Castlefields in the future".