COUNCIL chiefs have approved bulldozing 26 homes in Burnley Wood to provide land for new housing and open spaces in a £1.3million project.

But one property owner is opposing the compulsory purchase orders needed to buy up the houses saying it is "stupid" to pull down a well-maintained building only to construct another in its place.

Burnley Council say the clearance, which the council's executive approved at a recent meeting, is needed due to a high-level of empty and unfit properties.

It is part of the Elevate housing renewal programme to transform deprived neighbourhoods.

The 26 properties are the odd numbered houses from 129 to 181 Oxford Road.

But in a letter to the council one unnamed property owner has objected saying her house is "substantially well renovated and is in a favourable position between the park and town".

She said it is "the height of financial stupidity to want to pull down such property simply to rebuild others".

But while the council accepts the property is "fit" it says it is in a row of structurally unstable houses that has to come down.

Leaving "fit" houses in isolation would also create the costly construction of eight new gable walls.

If a compulsory purchase order is opposed the issue could go to a public inquiry.

But council chiefs say tough decisions have to be made to create a safe, attractive town.

Council leader Stuart Caddy said: "If there is a house next door, but you have no neighbours; if there is a roof above your head, but your house is unfit; if where your children play, is where builders ought to be, and if a shared fear of arson attacks and anti-social behaviour is what brings your community together, then something has to change. Tough decisions have to be taken.

"Burnley people deserve a town that is known for its safe attractive neighbourhoods, not for having the most vacant properties in the country."

The council has already bought half of the 26 properties and has agreed compensation with four more owners. Ten households have been re-housed so far and relocation grants are being considered.

Over the next 10 to 15 years, the Elevate programme aims to improve neighbourhoods through improving existing homes, building new homes, creating more parks and local employment opportunities in construction.