A PUBLIC meeting is to be held on controversial plans for regenerating housing in Pendle.

New political group Respect: the Unity Coalition, which has a branch in Pendle, will hold the meeting at Nelson Library on Thursday, October 7 at 7.30pm.

It says there has not been enough public debate on the Elevate scheme, which could lead to hundreds of houses being knocked down.

Pendle Respect steering group member David Penny said: "Householders are being told their homes must be knocked down, not because there is anything wrong with them, but simply because the government won't give Pendle the money otherwise.

"Most pre-1919 terraced housing is in sound condition and should be renovated not demolished -- raised not razed."

One of the speakers will be Whitefield resident Sylvia Wilson, who has been campaigning against demolition.