Heaton is a social experiment, is it working?

About 10 years ago I was speaking to someone who works in economic development at the council and he said that Heaton was being engineered by the council to create the perfect community, a bit like a test case for what might work in other parts of the city. So supporting a healthy mix of families, students, young professionals and people who rely on various benefits. He said it was a conscious thing by the council - is this true? Has anyone else heard this from another source? and more importantly has it worked?!