RESIDENTS who have campaigned to improve their street for 21 years are holding a meeting to oppose plans to tear it down.

Burnley Council's proposed Neighbourhood Action Plan for South West Burnley includes plans to demolish Dean Street to extend a car park and build alternative housing.

But while surrounding streets contain rows of boarded-up houses, all but one of the homes in Dean Street are occupied.

Residents in the Trinity area of Burnley are holding the meeting to discuss the proposed demolition of their homes at The Hob and Gill tonight.

They want to discuss forming an action group to lobby the borough council or MP Peter Pike against the plans.

Brian Barratt, a local resident who is shocked that his home could be demolished, will chair the meeting.

He said: "This meeting is called by residents for residents, and will help residents understand what we feel, where we stand, and decide how to go forward as a community, hopefully achieving all our different hopes and dreams for the future."

Mr Barratt, 65, a retired diesel fitter and the chairman of the local Neighbourhood Watch, bought his home in Dean Street in 1957. The plans to demolish numbers two to six Dean Street to extend the car parking area of Burnham Trading Park and to demolish numbers one to 27 for new family housing were approved by Burnley Council's executive last week.

Council bosses said the consultation process was still ongoing. Mike Cooke, director of market and community renewal, said: "We haven't finished this process and we have to go back out into the communities to talk through issues people may have. This is not the end of the line."

The Neighbourhood Action Plans set out possible changes to Burnley Wood, Daneshouse, Duke Bar and Stoneyholme and South West Burnley and include widespread house clearance, new build and open spaces.

The council will put forward plans for other areas in the future and has stressed the improvements will benefit the whole borough.

People living in the affected areas have been consulted as the council prepares to bid for a share of £500m from a government regeneration programme.