A TOP-level House of Commons investigation into empty homes will be invited to hold hearings in Burnley -- and see first-hand the housing problems facing the town.
Burnley Borough Council executivea believe the Select Committee inquiry provides a perfect platform for the town to get across its case for housing regeneration cash.
Burnley has more than 3,000 empty private sector homes.
The cost of bringing private houses up to a basic standard of repair would be more than £150,000.
The recent racial riots were in part blamed on the town's poor housing and high levels of deprivation.
But executive members heard the £150million problem could barely start to be tackled with the £3million a year Burnley has available for home improvements. Members see the Select Committee hearings as an important opportunity for the council and its partners to express the need for substantial extra help.
They agreed to put in written submissions to the inquiry team -- and invite it to hold hearings in the town.
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