PROPERTIES are set to be demolished to make way for a prestigious new housing development in Brierfield’s Canal Corridor.

Officers from Pendle Council are currently carrying out final surveys, before giving the go-ahead for demolition work to begin next year.

This follows the Government’s approval of the compulsory purchase of properties and land on sites off Clitheroe Road, King Street and Holden Road.

The canalside housing will be Pendle’s first major housing project under the Elevate Housing Market Renewal initiative.

Housing programmes manager Julie Palmer, said: “It will be a phased development with Miller Regeneration planning to start work on the new housing later in 2009.

"This flagship development will help regenerate Brierfield.”

Coun Tony Greaves, Pendle Council’s executive member for housing market renewal, said: “We feel frustrated by the time it is taking to get underway – even though the delay was unavoidable.

"I hope that when people see the boarded houses being knocked down they will believe that we are in this for real.”