A FOREST businessman who will have to move his business from an area affected by the recently-granted Coalfields Regeneration Initiative is asking how the money will truly benefit local businesses.
Richard Cecil, who provides transport for disabled people in the Forest from his base and workshop at Cannop Depot, says he wonders if the cash will reach the targets it was intended to boost.
"I have talked to councillors and estate agents but nobody seems to know for sure just how it will help the areas concerned," he says.
"In my case, I enjoy working out in pleasant surroundings by the cycle track – not everyone wants to be in Forest Vale, for example.
"But if as a result of this cash they are building new units, and the money goes to the South West Development Agency to pay for the work, it will be managed by English Estates who will expect commercial rates from tenants.
"They will be too expensive for anyone starting a new enterprise at those rates – it is not as if any incentive is being offered for start-ups.
"So in the end where has the money gone? How does it really help? I'd just like somebody to look into all these questions and provide the answers."
Mr Cecil said he appreciated how people had fought long and hard to win the regeneration benefits but it would be a shame if in the end it didn't help local people.
"Among the things I would like to know is why local people, or groups of local people, can't be the ones putting forward the regeneration proposals," he said.