RESIDENTS whose homes overlook a new development have demanded compensation after they were left out of a scheme which saw houses in the area given facelifts.

Homes around the former Orchard Mill in Darwen were served compulsory purchase orders by Blackburn with Darwen Council and demolished to make way for the Orchard Grove development.

Nearby houses in Harwood Street and Hindle Street, which weren’t demolished, had work done to the outsides, such as rendering and pointing. But 13 houses in Harwood Street were left out, leaving homeowners such as Sue Firth feeling left out and out of pocket.

The homes back on to houses in Queen Street which were not demolished due to fears it would cause the collapse of the homes in Harwood Street.

Miss Firth, 56, a care supervisor, said: “It feels so unfair that we have come out with nothing.We were promised a facelift and didn’t get one. None of us have done any work to the outside of our homes because we were under the impression it would be done by the council.

She added: “The council bought three houses on the block because the people in them were moving out. But after the money dried up, the estate agents were unable to sell the homes.”

Cathleen Brogan, 76, who has lived in Harwood Street since 1959, said: “Our houses look a mess compared with the rest. We just want some money to have the back wall done and secured.”

Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, executive member for housing, said: “The Government axed funding for Housing Market Renewal in 2010, meaning a lot of houses scheduled to benefit from this scheme lost out.

“Houses in Harwood Street were withdrawn from clearance following representations from residents and a group repair or facelift of the properties was never scheduled, but the area did receive a general uplift from Housing Market Renewal.”