A HOUSEBUILDER has pledged to build in Burnley for the next decade in a timely boost to the town’s property market.

Keepmoat, which already has two developments in the town, has revealed it is in talks with Burnley Council about building more low-cost housing.

It comes just weeks after a national survey again named Burnley as the low-cost property capital of Britain and the Lancashire Telegraph revealed a house on the market for just £15,000.

Doncaster-based Keepmoat has been in the East Lancashire town since 2007, developing about 50 properties each at sites off Cog Lane and in Burnley Wood.

Ian Fletcher, the housebuilder’s development manager, said: “We are looking into more developments in Burnley at the moment and drawing up plans for the future.

“Our ideal situation would be establishing a presence there for the next 10 years - that’s what we do as a company.

“In the past there were houses in the areas where we built that people simply didn’t want to live in.

“We want to make Burnley a desirable place to live.”

However, Mr Fletcher stressed that ‘nothing has been decided’ and discussions with council bosses were ongoing.

Keepmoat, which specialises in developments in deprived areas, was selected as Burnley Council’s ‘preferred partner’ in 2007 under the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) scheme.

HMR has now been axed by the Government, although Keepmoat remains committed to Burnley.

Coun Martin Smith, Burnley Council’s regeneration chief, said: “Bearing in mind the state of the market, this is very positive news.

“The houses off Cog Lane have sold well and we are hoping Keepmoat can continue to develop the area in Burnley Wood.”