RESIDENTS of Larkhill tower blocks in Blackburn were today due to meet bosses of a company which is spearheading a £2million redevelopment of their area.

More than 20 residents from the three blocks were visiting the Space housing company's managers in Salford to talk about proposals to transfer some flats into the organisation's ownership and demolish others to make way for family housing.

They were due to see two Salford tower blocks which have been successfully refurbished and have tenant associations and community groups similar to those at Larkhill.

On March 11 and 12 residents of the Ribble and Bowland blocks at Larkhill will be asked to vote on whether the flats should be transferred from Blackburn with Darwen to the ownership of Space - formerly known as the Salford Housing Association.

A "yes" vote would mean that as well as refurbishing Bowland House for mature tenants, Ribble House would eventually be demolished to make way for family housing. Space development initiatives manager Donna Bowler said: "A refurbished show flat has been open in Bowland House for almost a month and many residents have taken the opportunity to take a look at how the new homes would look.

"The visit is a chance for them to meet some more people at Space and find out a little bit more about the organisation before they vote.

"It also allows us to take them to similarly refurbished blocks in Salford to show them what can be done to promote community within tower blocks."

Tenants from Ribble House who do not move to Bowland House will be re-housed by the borough council and Space. Fewer than half the 240 properties in the three tower blocks are occupied.

Existing tenants will be given a rent guarantee which ensures they will pay the same increases set by the council for 2000 followed by no increase in 2001.

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