Migration report meets fierce criticism

A report written by three London-based academics criticising attempts to regenerate northern cities such as Sunderland and Liverpool has been met with strong criticism.

The right-leaning thinktank the Policy Exchange advocated abandoning such projects and instead seeking to expand the urban areas of Greater London, Oxford and Cambridge to enable large numbers of those living in the north to migrate south in order to improve their economic prospects.

Conservative leader David Cameron - reportedly a fan of the Policy Exchange - rejected the report, labelling it "barmy", while the Conservatives reiterated their commitment to reviving northern towns and cities.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England also criticised the report, arguing that the south of England is already too crowded and raising its population further would damage the countryside and put too much strain on limited water resources.

Those using the self build method may find their own personal solutions to the issue of renewal when it comes to housing.

By constructing their own they can avoid waiting for the right kind of new development projects to take place in northern towns.