A ROW of unsafe terrace houses will be demolished after councillors gave plans the go-ahead.

Hyndburn Borough Council’s cabinet have made the decision to serve notices of demolition on residents of 23 homes in Pendle Street, off Willows Lane, Accrington.

Demolition of the properties, which are in danger of complete collapse, was described as the end of a long running saga by council leader Peter Britcliffe.

As councillors discussed the plan at the cabinet meeting he said: “The length of time the saga of Pendle Street has been going on makes it a serial lengthy enough to rival Coronation Street.

"It’s good news that we can finally put an end to this issue for residents and move on to spending money elsewhere.”

Deputy leader Coun Peter Clarke added: “The council have had to jump through numerous hoops to satisfy the housing act but we are now at a point where we can resolve the matter.

“Repair of properties would cost £3million and demolition at £2million is the most satisfactory course of action.

"We will attempt to purchase the houses voluntarily and perhaps use compulsory purchase orders if necessary.”

The affected houses are numbers 27 to 71.

Surveyors discovered the block was in a very poor condition, with the front wall subsiding and causing houses to tilt.

Ward councillor Coun Allah Dad told the Lancashire Telegraph before the decision: "At first plans for the homes, which are visibily leaning forward, had been to upgrade the properties but structural damage was soon uncovered through surveys.

Coun Dad said: “It is very sad, and people did not want to go at first because it is a neighbourhood and people are attached to their homes.

"One lady is in her 70s and has lived there her whole life. Of course she would rather not go anywhere else.

“Unfortunately it is just too unsafe to leave things as they are.

“After a number of meetings with residents, people saw that there was no alternative.

"Initially there were plans to upgrade the properties but then it was discovered that the structural damage wastoo great.”

Coun Dad said he had been shocked by the extent of the structural problems involving the houses.

Mum of eight Maniza Bi, 40, said: "I would be really sad to leave because I bought this house 20 years ago and my children have grown up here.”

Her daughter Zeenab Rashid, 20, said: “Mum has really struggled with her asthma because the house is so damp."