LONG-awaited proposals to overhaul housing in the Daneshouse area of Burnley are at the centre of a new £6.3 million project.

In a major step forward, investments will be made from Burnley council’s share of White-hall housing market renewal funding to improve housing in the area.

Under the scheme properties in parts of Abel Street, Holbeck Street, New Hall Street, Robinson Street, Hurtley Street, Wood Street, North Street, and land off Robinson Street, will be affected.

Housing chiefs hope to acquire the properties by agreement with the existing householders, where applicable.

But they have not ruled out compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for unwilling residents as part of their masterplan, first drawn up in 2005, for Daneshouse, Duke Bar and Stoneyholme.

Regeneration spokesman Steve Tilly said in an executive report: “If it is not possible to negotiate the voluntary acquisition of the properties then the council has the powers available to it to compulsorily acquire (them) if it is satisfied that there is a compelling case in the public interest for taking this action.”

Councillors would still have to approve CPOs on individual or block arrangements in the coming months. The spending on site works, fees, home loss payments and disturbance grants would be £2.52 million in 2009-10 and £3.78 million in 2010-11.

Regeneration efforts have already begun in an adjacent area to the land in question, bordered by New Hall Street, Hurtley Street, Colne Road and parts of Waterban Street and Barden Lane. One woman, who lives in Robinson Street with her family, said she thought the regeneration plans were great news for the area.

“We have had a letter about the plans and will have to sell up, but we don’t know what offer we will get yet.,” she said.

“But the houses around here are really old and run down so it will be good news.

“They knocked an old sewing factory down last week so the work has already begun by the looks of things.”

Blocks in Hilary Street, Bramble Street, Bush Street, Tunstill Street and a further part of Holbeck Street have either been demolished or are in the process of being pulled down.

Original masterplan proposals envisaged a ‘green spine’ being created through the area, linking in with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

New Hall Street and Abel Street would also be widened to allow for improved bus and car access and transport links for Elm Road Business Centre.