A FATHER-of-four has pledged to barricade himself in when bulldozers arrive to begin a 'rejuvenation' project -- unless council bosses increase their offer for his home.

Kevin Savage's house is subject to a compulsory purchase order (CPO) but says Hyndburn Council's offer for his home will leave him £9,000 in debt.

The CPO was granted by the council this week for the £25million Project Phoenix, in the Lower Antley area of West Accrington.

Demolition work could start before Christmas to clear the first of 150 houses, which will be replaced by 29 new rental properties for older people and large families, an £8million health centre, a pocket park and office space for small businesses.

But Mr Savage, who has a 20-year-old disabled daughter, is refusing to budge unless the council ups its offer of £17,000.

He bought his terrace house, in Lonsdale Street, Accrington, with a £26,000 mortgage 11 years ago.

"I am prepared to barricade myself in with my children," he said.

"I have never been in trouble, but I would hole up with my entire family and I may have to go to prison because of this grave injustice.

"I don't want to be thrown on to an estate because I'm left £9,000 in debt by the local authority. I just want a humble terrace house I can call my own."

Hyndburn Council has already bought 28 of the houses in the area, with a further 25 offers made to householders.

Council chiefs say owners with negative equity in their homes and those who have a shortfall between the sale price and the price of buying a new house can obtain relocation grants to bridge the gap.

But Mr Savage said he would still be out of pocket, even with the grant because of the cost of buying a new home.

As well as Lonsdale Street, the CPO includes parts of Blackburn Road, Lower Antley Street, Rutland Street, Pearl Street, Newark Street and Leyland Street.

A report by Hyndburn First director Nigel Rix, presented to members of the council's cabinet, said the order was needed to enable the council to purchase properties where owners didn't want to sell.

"Making a compulsory purchase order is the only option available to the council to enable the entire regeneration site to be purchased and cleared, providing those affected with the opportunity to object," the report said.

Funding for the project has come from the council, which has allocated £300,000 a year for the last two years, with a further £500,000 allocated by Elevate East Lancashire, one of nine government schemes to regenerate areas of low housing demand and rundown houses.

Hyndburn First, the council's regeneration arm, is also preparing a £2million bid to the Single Regeneration Budget.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe, said: "You always get the odd house where people don't want to move, or hold out. It takes time and needs patience."

The first clearance phase will cost about £5million, including purchase and demolition costs.