A £2.6MILLLION regeneration grant means new hope for areas which faced becoming boarded up ghettos.

The end of the Regenerate Pennine Lancashire Scheme last year saw plans to revamp Hyndburn’s most run down streets hang in the balance.

Most affected was Woodnook, in Accrington, which as the last area to receive funding from the scheme formerly known as Elevate, had not had any work completed.

Regeneration was to begin in the Barnfield ward at Royds, Booth and Augusta Streets when the end of RPL saw countless boarded-up properties next to occupied homes. Now Hyndburn Council will receive the £2.6million government funds for regeneration schemes of their own design over two years.

Leader of the council Peter Britcliffe said Woodnook was their top priority: “This is excellent news for Barnfield because we have the funds and the relevant control as well.

“The government have awarded funds to us directly, so we can act on what residents and ward councillors want.

“In the past we had to abide by Elevate’s plans. I was never a big fan of theirs because money was spent on glossy broches and executive wages instead of where it was needed.”

Barnfield ward councillor Paul Barton said he hoped the news would see more green spaces created in Woodnook.

He said: “The Elevate scheme was unnecessarily expensive. We asked years ago if frontages could be facelifted instead of new properties built. If run-down empty properties were also demolished to create green spaces, it would dilute the rental sector and make the area more attractive. Private companies would then be attracted to build here.”

Neighbourhoods in Accrington’s Blackburn Road were also affected by the end of RPL however Hyndburn Council say previously allocated funds should cover completion of the work in this area.