A senior politician who helped regenerate some of the most deprived areas of the UK says a Leicester redevelopment project should act as a blueprint for other schemes across the country.
Lord Heseltine was speaking during to visit to Bede Island today where he saw how the area had been transformed from a scrapyard and derelict industrial area to shops, homes and a park.
As environment secretary in the 1990s, Lord Heseltine launched City Challenge – a scheme which provided Government cash to help revitalise 10 areas of the UK, including Leicester's West End.
The influential Tory grandee's vast experience with regeneration projects is now being used by the current Government.
Chancellor George Osborne last week acted on recommendations made by Lord Heseltine when he announced a scheme which means Leicestershire could be allocated up to £50 million each year from 2015 from the Government to support businesses, transport and housing projects.
Speaking today at Bede Park, Lord Heseltine said: "We want to see this (Bede Island) done on a much bigger scale."
Lord Heseltine said if the county got the £50 million it would be up to local people to decide what the cash was spent on.
"This is what happened here with this development," he said.
"This is a great example where we have challenged local people. We didn't show them what to do and the result is here to see."
Leicester was one of 10 cities which received £37.5 million over five years under the City Challenge scheme.
Business leaders and politicians, including city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, want to see areas like Leicester and Leicestershire receive both more funding and control over how it is spent.
Sir Peter, who hosted Lord Heseltine's visit to Bede Island, said: "This was about showing Lord Heseltine what was involved with the City Challenge project and what can be done in the future if we have the tools to do it.
"Lord Heseltine understands the importance of the public and private sector working together. What we need to do is focus on opportunities which we want and allow the private sector to focus on opportunities which will make it worthwhile for them."
Earlier in the day, Lord Heseltine visited the Motor Industry Research Association's Mira Technology Park, near Hinckley. It has been given enterprise zone status by the Government, making it easier to develop the site and create 2,000 jobs.
Lord Heseltine said: "It's a brilliant plan – I couldn't be more impressed."
