A £10million project to regenerate an ‘eyesore gateway’ in Hyndburn has been given the initial go-ahead.

New housing, office space, shops and leisure facilities are part of the Church and Oswaldtwistle Gateway regeneration scheme.

And artists’ impressions have been released for the first time.

During the cabinet meeting yesterday Hyndburn councillors backed the outline plan.

The council will now work with Enza Property Group on the scheme.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: “It seems a very exciting development.

“Many of us had concerns about the area because it looks like the centre of Beirut, not a route into a civilised town.”

The former Hargreaves Ware-house building, and the adjacent Commercial Hotel in Blackburn Road will be restored and refurbished.

Neglected buildings will bes replaced by housing, shops and office space.

Council bosses said they and developers were working hard to ensure the credit crunch did not prevent plans being implem-ented.

Paul Westhead, lead developer for Enza Property Group, said: “The Church and Oswaldtwistle Gateway is a fundamental part of the borough. We have five land-owners who are all eager to support, and quite possibly participate in, the scheme.”

The masterplan is expected to be completed in five years.

Graham Jones, leader of the opposition said: “This is marvellous and this is an example of what can be done if politics and politicians stay out of it and progress can be made.”

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