PEOPLE in Brierfield 'need to be heard' as part of plans to transform an area of housing clearance in the town.

Former councillor and Brierfield resident Azhar Ali said suggestions by people living in the canal corridor area -- which the council wants to demolish and redevelop -- were being ignored. And he said proposals for the area were not being pursued quickly enough.

Pendle Council has appointed consultants to look at ways of helping residents who want to stay in the Brierfield canal corridor, off Clitheroe Road, after their old homes are knocked down.

Residents planning to stay in the area and buy back into the new housing development were shown some of the ideas at a meeting last week. They are also being given the chance to have their say at future meetings.

But Mr Ali, a former leader of the council, said: "The council says it wants residents' ideas for the area, but many suggestions are not being acted upon and progress is very slow. It seems this is a top down process, rather than working from the bottom up, from the people affected and that people are being dictated rather than listened to."

But Coun Frank Wren, of the Brierfield and Reedley Area Committee said: "We want a great housing scheme which will bring the heart back into this neighbourhood and I urge people to play a part in deciding the best plans for them."

A workshop for residents will take place on Monday, February 27 at 7pm at Brierfield Community Centre to discuss layout ideas and options.

The Include Consultants are also housing surgeries at Brierfield Library on February 6 and February 20 from 4pm - 7pm.

Julie Palmer, the housing market renewal officer for Brierfield said: "The consultants suggested a mixed scheme which provides housing for sale, as well as affordable housing on part of the site to cater for residents who want to stay."