LONG-awaited plans to regenerate a clearance site in the heart of Blackburn could be thrown into jeopardy.

People living in Infirmary have been waiting for months for work to begin on a 131 home development on land bordered by Infirmary Street, Hall Street, Highfield Road, Abraham Street, Grove Street and Mosley Street.

But the scheme, backed by Preston-based property developer Places for People under the Elevate regeneration project, has suffered a last-minute delay.

For the project to progress, Blackburn with Darwen Council had agreed to transfer the land to Places for People for a peppercorn rent.

This move not only needs the express consent of Elevate and English Partnerships but the approval of Secretary of State for Local Government Hazel Blears.

An application for permission has only just been made.

Coun Mohammed Khan, deputy mayor and former housing committee chairman, said that the £3.9million Housing Corporation grant, due to be paid to Places for People for the Infirmary works, will be at risk if a start is not made on site by next month.

"This scheme is very important for the area as we have spent two-and-a-half years working on this, including myself, fellow colleagues in that ward and especially officers in the housing department," said Coun Khan.

Coun Salim Lorgat, executive member for housing and neighbourhoods, criticised opposition councillors for attempting to make political capital over the delay.

"This is political points scoring and I think they are playing with people's lives on this one," said Coun Lorgat.

"People here have put up with this situation for a long time and this is preying on their minds. I think this is a high-risk strategy on behalf of Labour councillors.

"We want that area to be developed, as we have put a lot of work into it, and have stressed this to the Secretary of State."

He said that disposing of the land for a peppercorn rent was the only viable option for the land - the council could realise up to £2million on the open market by selling the site but would have no control over what development took place there.

A Places for People spokesman said: "This project is crucial, and will provide a greater choice of affordable homes for local people, as well as significant investment in the area.

"We are confident that these plans will be given the go ahead and that works will progress on site as planned in late October to create a vibrant and sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood."