COUNCILLORS look set to scrap costly repairs on the Ryelands Estate as new plans for the regeneration of the troubled area are considered.

A meeting in July booted out a £4.3 million plan to redevelop Ryelands, which would have seen many properties demolished to be replaced with new homes built by developer Oakapple partnerships. The decision came after furious residents objected to the plans.

Instead, the council agreed to investigate new redevelopment ideas in partnership with tenants.

But, while new proposals are discussed, any work on vacant properties which would cost over £1,000 will be put on the backburner.

Officers believe there will not be enough demand to fill the estate's empty houses in the foreseeable future.

In a report to be discussed by councillors next week, chief housing officer Steven Milce explained: "At the moment, there are 20 existing/imminent voids with offers made on only ten of the properties. Officers continue to have difficulty identifying suitable applicants for vacancies, particularly as the estate has a consistently high turnover."

Councillors will also be encouraged to review the policy of allowing single people to take over family-sized homes after complaints be residents.

And the council will be encourage to employ a tenant adviser to help consult with residents while new plans are explored.

The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the council housing sub-committee at Lancaster town hall on Tuesday.