RESIDENTS of Rectory Road, Burnley, look to have won their battle against the bulldozer.

Housing chiefs facing a wall of opposition decided not to demolish the whole of the area west of Princess Way. The move will save £1 million on the bill.

But 50 houses in Cavour Street, Ashley Street and Holme Road will, if councillors approve plans, be demolished: 76 people will have to be rehoused.

Clearance project manager Scott Wise, said clearance could have created jobs by making the area suitable for new businesses.

"The opportunity for commercial use is fading," he said.

Some 25 of the 50 addresses earmarked for demolition are vacant. Most have been declared unfit for habitation. Owners will receive payments to help them buy new homes, and the council says efforts will be made to keep communities together.

By choosing to demolish fewer houses, the council will save more than £1 million, which will go to other clearance projects or group repair schemes elsewhere in Stoneyholme and Daneshouse.

The council says the cleared land will be suitable for public parkland, but it could possibly be used to provide gardens for Rectory Road residents.

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