A COMMUNITY is fighting to save rows of terrace homes which are set to be bulldozed as part of the rejuvenation of East Lancashire housing.

And today Darwen MP Janet Anderson slammed the local council's handling of the situation and promised residents a meeting with councillors and council officers this month.

People living in Redearth Street, Darwen, have been told their homes could be pulled down during the first phase of regeneration and are unfit to live in.

But they want to stop Blackburn with Darwen Council from destroying their neighbourhood and say they have not been given enough information about the plans, which are currently out to consultation.

They are worried that if their homes are compulsory purchased, they would not get enough money and would be forced to get a mortgage they could not afford.

The area has been earmarked for improvement as part of the East Lancashire-wide Elevate project.

The massive housing scheme will see run-down housing torn down to make way for new properties. Around £103million has already been pledged and more is set to follow in the coming years.

Redearth Road residents have signed a petition opposing the demolition of their homes and set up a working group.

Residents in nearby Hannah Street, Star Street and Sudell Road have also received letters notifying them of inspections of their homes. A decision has still to be made as to whether they will be demolished or renovated but residents joined those in Redearth Street in opposing the scheme.

Mrs Anderson said people had not been given enough information and described the council's handling of the situation as "disgusting". She said: "I am so angry. I don't think it has been handled sensitively by the council and well understand why people are angry."

Peter Sciambarella, of Sudell Road, said: "They are going to split the community. I'll have to move away from an area where all my family live."

Lee Woods, from the Tattooers Arms tattoo studio in Redearth Road, added: "A lot of people have actually said that if they were told what was wrong they would get the work done at their own expense.

"Some people have been there a long time and they are worried that they won't get another mortgage and don't want to have to move away."

Elevate East Lancashire, the company set up to oversee regeneration of run-down neighbourhoods in East Lancashire, said it expected councils to talk to residents. A spokesman said: "We fully expect and encourage councils to take account of residents' views."

Council bosses have said that after an assessment of the houses in Redearth Street, it was more economically viable to demolish than renovate.

They have said the proposed clearance of Redearth Street could begin within the next six months but at this stage there are no specific plans for the development of the site.

Graham Burgess, the council's regeneration director, said: "There are a lot of vacant houses.

"If a number of houses in the block are unfit and there are two in the middle of the terraced block that are OK, it is impossible to leave the two standing. I have spoken to the residents and have gone through all these issues with them."

He said owners were being offered market value for their homes, tenants were being offered alternative accommodation and there is a £3,400 "disturbance allowance" to help people move.

The council is also negotiating cheaper loans and mortgage rates for those wanting to move to a more expensive house.