council 1, community nil

Another day, another mind-boggling mistake in the name of regeneration.
I spent an afternoon driving around Salford with a councillor yesterday, being shown a number of bizarre decisions regarding demolition and rebuild which do not appear to have the interests of local people at heart.
More of which later, once I've found the right person to run the story.
One example found me quite spontaneously, when we drove through the Irwell Riverside ward, a deprived area which has waited years for regeneration to get properly underway.
Many of the homes along Duchy Road will be pulled down and residents moved onto a new estate across the street.
It turns out the local convenience store will also be bulldozed. Only the owners were told just two weeks ago, after being promised all along that their business would be drawn into the plans.
The shop is run by an Asian family who have lived in Riverside for 17 years and stuck it out through all kinds of racism and other difficulties.
They are the only place nearby where the 600 or so homes on the estate, plus a caravan park nearby, can easily pick up odds and ends plus essentials like gas and electricity.
They have now appealed to their MP Hazel Blears - a lifelong Salford resident but ardent Blairite who recently announced her candidacy for deputy leader of the Labour Party. And who is apparently coming last at this point in the race.
The shop owner told me: "We didn't object until now because we were told we were getting a new shop. Now, two weeks ago, we've found out we're not.
"If we closed, people would have to travel almost three miles to get their basics. That's £3 each way in a taxi, for maybe £5-worth of electricity. What about the pensioners, disabled and people with no money? The council aren't worried about them.
"I don't understand how they can say this shop doesn't matter. This is part of the community. There is nothing else here."
Funny. Aren't the needs of local people meant to be the key to all these regeneration schemes?
The council's own website vows: "At the heart of the process is a commitment to involving local communities in the renewal.
The aim is to make Salford a beautiful, vibrant and prosperous city where people will want to live, work and study for generations to come."
I've had a very quick look on the internet for more information on this latest development, and - surprise, surprise - there is little available.
A 2004 document - the official note of intention to clear parts of Duchy Road - made no mention of numbers 33-35, where the shop is.
In fact the only reference I can find to the change of plans is a list of planning decisions to be made over the coming months.
The document, dated March 1, says the director of environment, housing and planning will look at "options for acquiring Duchy Stores, 33/35 Duchy Road."
The relevant attachment will not open on my computer so I can't find out more at this point. I do intend to take the issue up with the council tomorrow though.