THE public inquiry into Pendle Council's plans to regenerate part of Nelson is due to resume today.

Council chiefs and representatives of the conservation group English Heritage will continue to debate plans for a 10-year regeneration programme that will see 19th century homes in Whitefield demolished and replaced with flats, semi-detached, detached and three-storey town houses.

English Heritage is objecting to demolition plans because it says the homes are 'historically significant'. Instead, it would rather the homes were renovated, and have drawn up their own plans.

Pendle Council, on the other hand, is insisting that the area needs redeveloping.

The plans have also divided opinion between residents with some eager for the homes to be replaced, and others adamant they should be saved.

Sylvia Wilson of the Whitefield Conservation Action Group will be speaking at the inquiry on behalf of residents unable to attend. She will read letters submitted to her group calling for the council to have a rethink.

She said: "Most people I have spoken to are worried about losing homes that they have spent 30-40 years building up.

"They are going to lose out financially and they are going to lose a community and a community spirit which will be lost forever.

"The buildings are fit to live in and all they need are a general maintenance grant. These plans are a downright kick in the teeth.

"People can't be treated like this. To have something you have spent your life building up taken away and given pittance in return is wrong."

English Heritage have also employed an economic consultant to speak at the inquiry. Steven Bond will be cross examined by the council about the disagreement over the number of home that should be pulled down and the cost of the project.

Henry Owen John of English Heritage said: "We employed Steven to assess the area and that will be discussed this week.

"We want to look at the number of properties that have been classified as unfit and whether our ideas for renovation cost less than the council's plans."

Although no timetable for the inquiry has been set, most sides expect it to be resolved this week. A decision on the best way forward may take a lot longer.