PLANS to demolish three multi-storey blocks of flats in Mill Hill and refurbish Larkhill flats are still being pursued by Blackburn Council.

Despite the governments's failure to offer financial support, the council intends to knock down Livesey, Griffin and Ewood Court and Mill Hill and refurbish Pendle, Bowland and Ribble House in Larkhill.

Town hall officials will tell councillors at a meeting on next Tuesday that they are still pursuing the plan and looking at other means to fund the £4 million project.

Developers who had been lined up redevelop the Mill Hill site, demolishing the tower blocks and using the land for low cost housing, are expected to come up with firm proposals to proceed with the scheme shortly.

Northern Counties Housing Association is also interested in pursuing its proposals to refurbish the Larkhill blocks and form links with organisations such as Blackburn College in order to allocate some of the flats to students.

The council is also considering ways of funding a refurbishment scheme at the Queens Park tower blocks and a new lettings policy is set to be introduced at Daisyfield flats.

Counc Sue Reid, the Council's chairman of housing, said: "The Capital Challenge bid was a comprehensive proposal for our tower blocks which received favourable comment from the government.

"Unfortunately there was not enough money in the pot and we were unlucky not to receive government help in funding the proposals."

She added: "However, we considered it was important to seek alternative ways of progressing with the schemes as the council felt the proposals were the best way of rejuvenating the tower blocks."

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