ANGRY householders will pack into Burnley Town Hall tonight (Wednesday) in a bid to save their homes.

Residents in the Rectory Road area of Stoneyholme will try to stop plans to clear 87 properties in a £1.7 million scheme to provide extra land for industry.

Officers are urging the housing committee to go for the full demolition option, even though many residents want to stay put.

Three householders will address the meeting to appeal for a change of heart from council chiefs.

But Liberal Democrat leader, Gordon Birtwistle, who is backing the residents, says the ruling Labour group is bulldozing their wishes.

He says the decision to clear has already been made and the promise of consultation with residents after tonight's meeting is a farce.

But a new cash incentive may be the key to Burnley council winning residents' support for the clearance plan.

Government plans for new relocation grants of up to £20,000 for tenants and owner occupiers to help them buy a new property in their area could make all the difference.

The grants, over and above compulsory purchase values, could be available from the end of the year and Burnley housing chiefs say they may have a crucial part to play in winning over support. Councillors will decide tonight whether to opt for complete demolition of all the remaining properties on the West side of Princess Way in a £1.7 million scheme to earmark the whole area for industrial use.

Officers are urging clearance in preference to a much cheaper partial demolition plan which will allow householders in Rectory Road their wish to stay where they are.

And if council members back the preferred option, the whole issue will be thrown open to public debate over the next month.

A key factor, say officers, is the fact that 54 per cent of houses in the area are defined as unfit, with a further 13 per cent in substantial disrepair.

They indicate that to allow some homes to remain in an area surrounded by industry would probably lead to further decline from lack of investment and the continuation of existing problems.

Officers accept the partial demolition would save about £1.2 million and would keep residents who wish to stay happy.

But it would be strategically difficult.

The new relocation grants could tilt the issue for some residents.

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