DEVELOPERS are set to start work on the first major new housing scheme in Burnley under the Elevate housing market renewal scheme.

Regeneration specialist builders, Keepmoat Ltd, have applied to build 66 homes on Cog Lane.

The homes range from two bedroom duplex apartments to two, three and four bedroom homes.

All the property styles have been designed specifically for the site and will be built to Eco Very Good Standard', the industry independent rating for housing energy efficiency, water use, ecology and land use.

Haslam Homes, part of the Keepmoat Ltd group, will construct the new homes.

A spokesman said: "We have been consulted with the local community on a number of occasions and one message has come out loud and clear, people are looking for new, high quality, value for money homes in a range of sizes and prices.

"They want low maintenance, energy efficient houses, built to accommodate different family sizes and structures. We are delighted to be moving one step closer to being able to fulfil that demand. Our homes will help to breathe new life into Burnley."

Once the plans have been given the go ahead by Burnley Council's Development Control Committee, the company expects to be on site by December.

Elevate East Lancashire is a Government initiative to improve, through new housing, a region's environment, community safety, cohesion, educational attainment and health. It aims to make East Lancashire a place where people choose to live, work, visit and relax.

Burnley has been allocated almost £14million under the scheme for this year.

Haslam Homes has already completed a successful site in Burnley. In 2004 the company launched its Cotton Mills site overlooking the Leeds and Liverpool canal with views over the Ribble Valley. It was completed in 2006.