MORE than 100 homes in Burnley are set to be improved after councillors gave the nod to £1million of spending as part of their efforts to tackle housing market decline.

The money - from the council's Housing Capital and Elevate funding - will be spent on the facelifting programme in Colne Road, Cog Lane, Westmorland Street and Gannow Lane over the next year.

The housing market decline has seen Burnley's housing values fall to the lowest in the country, continued high levels of vacant and unfit properties and a widening of gaps in house prices with nearby authorities - as highlighted in a recent North West Housing Market Review.

Coun Martin Smith, Burnley Council's member for regeneration and housing, said: "Alongside improving the image of the town, raising values and encouraging homeowners to reinvest in their home, facelifting can also act like a firewall' - a visible statement of intent that shows the council will not allow problems, such as low house values and empty homes, to spread any further."

Stone cleaning, repointing and gutter replacement will be just some of the steps taken to spruce up the properties as part of the programme.

Coun Smith added: "The areas to receive facelifting are those areas in most need or where the results will have the most impact to benefit the entire town as they are on gateways into Burnley.

"Facelifting is very much about perception and pride; how visitors perceive the town and how residents feel about their own home and surrounding neighbourhood.

"Both of these factors increase housing demand and are a step towards Burnley becoming a place where people choose to live not leave."

The council says facelifting is part of a wider programme of regeneration which includes demolition, housing and environmental improvements in areas suffering from low housing demand, high levels of vacant properties and above average levels of unfit properties.

Coun Smith said: "It will take time, but with the support of the whole borough we can address the issues in those areas of most need - this in turn will benefit the every homeowner across the borough as Burnley becomes known for good quality housing and prices move towards other areas across the North West."