Government plans to regenerate the Thames Gateway and northern Pathfinder areas are well meaning but misguided, and may end up being pulled down again in 30 years, Crest Nicholson chief exec John Callcutt has said. “Billions of pounds of infrastructure are needed for the Thames Gateway corridor, and I wonder if this money could be better spend in existing areas in the east of London where there is existing infrastructure. “The problem with pathfinders is the approach is public funding driven. It is not sustainable to parachute in vast amounts of money. I have no doubt government truly does want to increase supply and is doing its best, but pouring countless tens of millions of pounds into sink estates - all of which back to square one after a short period and decline again into social exclusion and social breakdown, is a waste of money. “Our approach is to drive through corridors of regeneration. Start with the areas with most potential, rather than the worst, and densify development to bring in owner occupiers.”