A MAJOR regeneration plan for Colne's South Valley has been warmly welcomed by councillors and residents - but there are hopes that the ambitious scheme could go further.

Multi-million pound blueprints for the town's Waterside ward could see 370 new homes built along Shaw Street, Spring Garden Mill converted into apartments, and a new centre to replace the ageing Waterside Youth Club.

The existing Millennium Green could be extended into a linear park and the mill could also be home to business units, as part of moves away from the area's traditional manufacturing traditions.

Public consultations have taken place with Colne Neighbourhood Action Group and Pendle council's Colne and District Committee, where the proposals have met with broad support.

But residents have asked whether industrial units located at the valley bottom - considered to be past their prime - could also not be included in the masterplan.

And there have also been calls to ensure that the comprehensive revamp is environmentally-friendly.

Some residents have questioned why householders will not be given the ability to apply for grants to modernise existing homes there, similar to estates elsewhere in Colne.

Council leader Alan Davies, speaking at the Colne and District committee, said that such grants are only available to properties in Elevate renewal areas, of which Waterside was not one.

He added: "The masterplan was done in the context of knowing that any improvements or new developments would be done with private funding and not funded via Elevate.

"The masterplan is a blueprint - a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the South Valley to make significant changes."

Other householders are keen to ensure that the new homes planned for the valley respect the current terraced layout of the majority of the area.

Coun Philip Boyle added: "It is important that renewable energy and energy conservation area are considered in the plan and for any new development."

The council is also in talks with horticulture supplier LBS and the stone yard, in the valley, about the possibility of relocating elsewhere in the local area.

Tomorrow Pendle council's housing market renewal committee is expected to adopt the masterplan in principle and suggest possible additions to the proposals for the authority's executive to consider later in the week.