PLANS for the redevelopment of the Nelson West Renewal Area and the building of 250 new homes have been provisionally agreed by the council.

The 'Masterplan', as it was referred to in a report to the council's Executive, was drawn up following a wide consultation with local residents last month.

It illustrates how new housing could be built in the area identified for clearance, which includes Westmoreland Street, Maurice Street, Macleod Street, Victoria Street and Hereford Street.

The housing would be built without prejudicing the character and quality of the St Mary's Conservation Area, include a range of house types to meet identified housing needs and help stimulate the private sector housing market, which has collapsed in this part of Nelson.

Plans include 250 new homes made up of 35 flats, 14 semi-detached bungalows, 134 semi-detached, two-storey houses, 28 detached two-storey houses and 39 three-storey town houses.

Many would have front gardens, on-site parking and all would have private back gardens. There would also be areas of open space, public access to the canal, two play areas and 20mph zones to reduce accidents.

The Executive agreed a leaflet detailing the plans should be distributed next month to those who took part in the consultation exercise and any feedback will be reported to the Executive in December before the plan is formally adopted.

Coun Azhar Ali, leader of the council, said: "This is an exciting framework for the redevelopment of the clearance area within Nelson West. The new housing will provide quality accommodation to suit a much broader range of needs of the local community.

"Better housing will mean better health for residents in Nelson West, which ranks very badly in league tables relating to health issues. The open spaces and play area will greatly improve the physical attractiveness of the area and give residents a better quality of life."

But not all members of the executive were as enthusiastic about the proposals, aimed at improving housing and environmental conditions during a ten-year period.

Coun David Whipp said: "There has been talk about retaining the area's community spirit but you can't do that when you've knocked out its heart.

" The people being forced from their homes will not have the equity to be able to afford to buy back in to the area with the levels they will want to sell them at."

Coun Frank Clifford hit back by saying: "It is an exciting opportunity to revitalise the community. It is not ripping out its heart. The area has some of the worst housing and the blocks we are taking out were poor when I was growing up, 50 years ago. They haven't got better. If anything they are infinitely worse."

The draft plan said that the existing network of connecting streets and pattern of street blocks would be largely retained.

Funding for the study and development has been made available through SRB money and the private sector, with some public subsidy.