A NELSON man whose family owns several houses earmarked for demolition has criticised Pendle Council's claims that they are unfit to live in.

Liaquat Ali spoke at the public inquiry into plans to compulsory purchase homes in the Whitefield area of Nelson for demolition.

He owns two in Moseley Street and lives in his father's house, also in Moseley Street.

Mr Ali told the inquiry that, after receiving the council's letter which stated that the houses were unfit for human habitation, a local surveyor looked at his father's house to find out what was wrong and wrote his own report on its condition.

He said: "The report said the house was not unsuitable and not in a state of disrepair. The surveyor said 'I do not believe the house is unfit for human habitation'.

"We feel we are being forced out of the area and the community by accepting offers the council has made on the properties.

"I have lived in Whitefield and this house for thirty years. We have six houses between Albert Street and Moseley Street and are being made to move out. I see a complete breakdown of a family as well as the local community."

Cross examined about the council's report that there was dampness in his father's house, Mr Ali said a representative from the council had had a general look round and taken meter readings on some of the walls. But the family had not realised it was for the purpose of making an offer for the house.

Mr Ali said there had been previous roof and gutter leaks which had caused the wallpaper to be loose on the ceiling of a bedroom he shared with his wife and four children.

He denied claims by Timothy Jones, representing the council, that two separate inspections for the general overview and one for the evaluation had been made on the house, stating there had only been one. He also refuted Mr Jones' claims that the house had distorted roof timbers.

In response to the council's report stating there was rising damp in his own houses, where his sisters live, Mr Ali said the only damp was from high winds blowing slates of the roof and the water coming down and some of the pointing on the chimney being loose.

He told the inspector that he had done repairs to his father's house and one of his own before the council inspected it.

However, he said the repairs at the third house would be more costly and he was not prepared to spend the money if they were going to be forced out.

English Heritage are also objecting to the council's plan.

The inquiry, which was supposed to last until the end of this week, will continue into next week after cross examining of council and English Heritage witnesses took longer than expected.