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Demolition threat to OAP

Simon Thacker
9/12/2004

HORRIFIED residents have been told their houses may be demolished as part of a regeneration plan.

Householders living in certain areas of West Accrington and Church have received letters from Eavesbrook Housing which is planning the regeneration scheme as part of Project Phoenix.

Cash is coming from Elevate, a Government-run project designed to improve deprived areas of East Lancashire, which granted £10.7M to Hyndburn earlier this year.

The letter claims there is a "very real chance" that some residents would have to leave their homes as they would be demolished as part of the plans.

Mary Smith, 73, of Countess Street, Accrington, said: "I received the letter last Friday. I read it through twice and was shocked and very angry.

"To me, it just read like they wanted to pull our houses down. I even thought it might be a con-trick so they could buy my house cheaply.

"I have always looked after my house well and I have always paid for all the repairs that needed doing to it. I have never had any money from the council towards it."

Steven Glover, regional regeneration manager for Eavesbrook, said: "No specific sites have yet earmarkerd for demolition.

"We are just trying to raise people's awareness of the regeneration plan and to engage them in the regeneration process.

"Perhaps on this occasion we have been slightly over-zealous and have over-stated the possibility of demolition work being done."

A meeting to explain why certain streets may be demolished and what the scheme means for residents took place on Wednesday at Hindle Lodge.