MORE than half the privately-owned homes in Blackburn Bank Top ward are unfit to live in, a survey revealed today.

Unfit housing and poor housing conditions are significantly worse than the borough average with 55 per cent of houses in the ward unfit, compared to the borough average of 32 per cent.

The ward already rates as the third worst in the borough in terms of general deprivation.

Housing defects range from inadequate food preparation facilities, general disrepair and lack of amenities up to major problems with structure and drainage, Blackburn Council housing committee was told.

A more detailed breakdown showed 58 per cent of pre-1919 homes unfit, 60 per cent of inter-war homes and 18 per cent of post war homes.

The survey showed 61 per cent of owner occupied homes were unfit, together with 41 per cent of rented homes and 58 per cent vacant houses.

The survey also showed 35 per cent of people whose homes needed repairing would require a 100 per cent grant, with 45 per cent making some contribution and 20 per cent ineligible for grants.

The ward is earmarked to become a housing renewal area next year, opening the door to a range of grants for owner occupiers.

The council is currently bidding for single regeneration budget cash to help fund improvements.

Councillors were told it would be unwise and a waste of resources to continue to issue individual renovation grants to properties which might be scheduled for renovation in blocks.

They agreed to suspend all individual renovation grant applications until the renewal area strategy has been agreed.

The next step will be a detailed assessment of each terrace, with a view to undertaking a more detailed assessment later in the year to prepare the renewal area strategy.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.