TENANTS on a troubled Rishton council estate have been told to expect big improvements to their crumbling homes.

Hyndburn housing bosses revealed a fresh repair strategy at a meeting with Sands Estate residents in the town last night.

But some were told they would have to wait until next year for work to start while vital surveys were carried out on their homes.

Council officials called the meeting to explain the scheme after an outcry when it was thought £103,000 was to be spent on just four properties.

They told residents the handout was part of a rolling programme of repairs which will begin on one part of the estate immediately.

And they also promised a fresh injection of cash from this year's housing budget to help spread repairs around.

Improvements to some of the 17 traditional rendered brick houses could include replacement windows and doors, insulation, central heating and rewiring - though rents could rise.

Inspectors will call on tenants soon to decide which properties top the priority list for repairs over the next few months. But the estate's 40 concrete homes, known as Wates houses, will have to wait while consultants are called in to survey structural conditions.

Housing chiefs are hopeful they will receive more money from capital receipts next year which will allow them to start work on those houses.

Head of architecture and building Jeff Evans said: "The lion's share of the £43,000 which was to be spent on the Wates houses will be transferred to the traditional houses for repairs this year.

"Each house is in a different condition and must be looked at separately. We could start inspections next week."

Housing services committee chairman Coun Cliff Westell, added: "If we get more money from the government next year I will recommend the Wates houses should get top priority."

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