A COUNCIL is investing millions of pounds on Compulsory Purchase Orders targeting 'eyesore homes' in a bid to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour.

Burnley Council bosses are set to make orders on 11 long-term vacant properties, one of which has been empty for 17 years.

Over the past 10 years, more than 120 properties have been acquired and refurbished by the council as part of its Vacant Property Initiative and Empty Homes Programme.

Council bosses estimate so far around '£3million' has been spent renovating homes, which have gone on to be sold and the money has gone back into their pot for future sites.

The rolling project is set to continue for years to come as the authority continues to work to clean up and improve the area.

Burnley Council Leader Cllr Mark Townsend said: "These empty properties can attract anti-social and nuisance behaviour.

"It's important that we help residents in these areas avoid being subject to these sort of conditions.

"It can attract undesirable elements to the town.

"Although we've helped many properties so far, we would like to do a lot more.

"This is a problem in a lot of neighbourhoods in the area.

"Properties run into disrepair and it puts people in the area off investing in their own properties.

"We're going to continue working on these properties and it will hopefully encourage people to invest back into the borough."

The Vacant Property Initiative began around 2005, which then developed into the Empty Homes Programme around five years ago.

Council bosses said the cost for purchasing each home varies, but they estimate they spend around £25,000 to £30,000 renovating each property.

Cllr John Harbour, executive member for housing and environment, said: "I think it's really important for the borough.

"It's something we've been doing for around 10 years now, taking up vacant properties throughout the area.

"The programme removes nuisances and improves the neighbourhood.

"It's important we target these properties as soon as possible to save the area.

"This is an on going process and something we will try and keep on doing, it's a major regeneration project.

"We've got a big issue with improving houses in Burnley and this can give a boost to neighbourhoods."

The latest set of properties include sites in Wren Street, Briercliffe Road, Cleaver Street and Piccadilly Road.

Edward Stowell, a Piccadilly Road resident of 53 years, said: "They've been empty for ages and I know there have been rat invasions at the property.

"It causes problems with anti-social behaviour and just looks generally unsightly for the area.

"It's just a real blight and eye sore.

"As long as those who eventually occupy the property are the right types of people, as there is a problem with drugs round here."

Another resident Brian Hobbs said: "It's good news, this is a good old-fashioned house, and we can make good use of them.

"If these houses could be brought back into use, it will make the area look better and potentially provide accommodation for the many homeless people."

The council will seek to get the purchase orders confirmed at an executive meeting on Tuesday.

After renovation, the homes will then be sold for up to £80,000, depending on location.

Council bosses said they meet once or twice a year to discuss the latest set of sites to propose, which usually include around 10 homes.

They previously had a separate Empty Homes Clusters programme which ran until 2014/2015 and saw £3.5million of government money matched by the council to improve homes.

The last set of Community Purchase Orders issued by the council were for nine properties back in October 2016.