MORE than 50 affordable homes are set to be constructed in Burnley as part of a £1.4million scheme by the borough council and the town’s main landlord.

Bosses at Centenary Court-based Calico Homes have secured the handout from the Homes and Communities Agency as part of a nationwide initiative to build 165,000 properties before 2018.

Management at the Croft Street group are now working with borough housing officials to identify a suitable location for the 52 family properties which have been promised.

The outfit has a business plan which should see it create 477 homes by the spring of 2019 – with developments like Primrose Mill in Briercliffe underway.

But the Burnley company has also branched out since launching its own development in 2012, working with Countryside Properties on 39 homes at Facit Mill in Whitworth and another development at the former Acre Mill in Stacksteads.

Speaking about the latest development Anthony Duerden, Calico chief executive, said: “These plans are at an early stage, and are part of our continued efforts to invest in Burnley.

“Our aim is to respond to local housing need and to develop properties in areas where people want to live, at the same time as creating local employment opportunities with our development partners.

“We are already seeing significant demand for our latest development at Primrose Mill in Briercliffe, which will be completed early in the new year. This proves there is a high demand for affordable, quality homes in the area.

“As with any housing development, all proposals will be subject to normal planning permission procedures and, if approved, we don’t expect work to begin until later in 2015.”

The announcement has come as work to bring empty properties back into use as affordable homes across Burnley, as part of the LinkedUp ((corr)) initiative, has been declared a success by council bosses.

Cllr John Harbour, deputy council leader and housing cabinet member, said: “The affordable housing scheme is ahead of the overall target of 68 properties brought back into use, with around 79 now expected.”

Meanwhile the Clusters Programme, working with private landlords and property owners, is set to bring 175 empty properties back into use in Trinity, Gannow and Queensgate. So far 53 properties have been acquired, loans have been approved for 58 houses, with 12 sold on.

An environmental scheme for Brennand Street is nearing completion and further similar works are planned for Dickson Street.