RESIDENTS are to be given the chance to have their say on the future of their homes as 'For Sale' signs go up on land and buildings once blighted by the axed M65 extension through Colne.

Land and properties on the proposed motorway route to Yorkshire, including 48 houses, have been put on the market. Lancashire County Council agreed earlier this year to put the brakes on the controversial road scheme after more than 20 years of campaigning by local people.

Five vacant houses in the South Valley and Winewall areas of Colne have been put on the market and eight householders have applied to buy their own homes, which were previously rented from the county council.

All the houses on the route were earmarked for demolition if the motorway had gone ahead.

The remainder of the homes will be taken on by a housing association and residents are to be given the chance to put forward their views on who their new landlord should be. Five associations have been recommended by Pendle Council, which is acting for the county council. A meeting is to be held in Pendle between the housing associations, residents' representatives and local and county councillors to listen to the proposals and to decide which association should take on the 'motorway homes.'

A date for the meeting has still to be set and the final decision on which association is chosen will be taken by the county councillors.

Alan Brown, of Duke Street, Winewall, whose home is one of those affected, said: "The houses have been blighted and been off the market for so long it's difficult to tell what they are worth. Some people have asked for a second opinion on their value before deciding whether to buy or not.

"To be honest people are just happy the blight has been lifted and their houses aren't being knocked down."

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