Pensioner's crime fear alone in twilight zone

The plight of the 83-year-old woman was highlighted by Coun Les Harrison, who told Burnley's planning committee she lived in a block of houses in Grey Street, Daneshouse.

The homes had been earmarked for demolition, but a decision had now been made not to pull them down.

He said the pensioner, who is called Sarah, was among a small number of people who were living there in jeopardy.

Sarah's home had been burgled three times to his knowledge and she was frightened to death of going to bed because of people breaking into the house. "We don't seem to be doing anything for these elderly people, who have become isolated," he said.

"They were advised not to spend money on doing up their properties because of the possibility of clearance.

"They have not spent money, but now it has been decided to not to pull Grey Street down. Other areas are coming down but not Grey Street.

"This lady is the only person left in her block of houses. As a one-off it must be possible for her home to be bought from her so that she can be provided with other accommodation.''

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed yesterday that the Central area of Burnley contained more boarded-up homes than it did eight years ago despite a £10million improvement programme

.Coun Carole Barber said she sympathised with Coun Harrison's views, but the council was deciding on renewal or action areas and needed to get the finances sorted out before raising residents' expectations.

Planning chairman Coun Steve Large told Coun Harrison that his comments were a matter for the Housing Committee.

The committee approved environment improvement schemes totalling £61,000 for the renewal area including a play area, social lighting, canal bridge refurbishment, environmental education project, canal towpath improvements, trees, bins and a clean-up campaign.

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