RUN-down council housing in Blackburn and Darwen is to cost the council £106 million over the next twelve years.

The huge figure was disclosed as Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's Housing and Community Services Committee met to discuss solutions to its housing problems.

A recent stock report on the area's council housing estimated that in addition to the £106 million needed for maintenance work, substantial investment was also needed to catch up on basic repairs. At a committee meeting yesterday (Thursday), councillors discussed several options to improve the standard of their housing stock, including bringing in private investment and applying to the government for extra cash.

Plans to dispose of multi storey flats in Mill Hill and maisonettes in the Delph Lane area for redevelopment were also on the agenda.

The chairman of Housing and Community Services, Councillor Mohammad Khan, said: "Overall the council housing stock in Blackburn and Darwen is of a reasonable standard and the borough is well equipped to provide quality accommodation for the next millennium.

"However, areas for investment have been highlighted and preliminary discussions with private developers have been encouraging."

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