LONG delays in revamping a Burnley neighbourhood have caused pyschological trauma to residents, according to a leading doctor.

Dr Misfar Hassan, who works at Burnley General Hospital, believes continuing uncertainty over housing market regeneration work in Daneshouse and Stoneyholme had affected the emotional wellbeing of people living there.

But the borough council’s cabinet has insisted all efforts are being made to get the area’s regeneration back on track.

Housing firm Gleesons had signed up to build 280 homes in Daneshouse, Stoneyholme and Duke Bar but withdrew from in September 2008.

Several blocks around Duke Bar have been bulldozed and the land cleared in recent months, leaving a large area off Barden Lane vacant.

Dr Hassan, who was elected as a Labour county councillor for the Burnley Central East division in the polls last May, said he had been approached several times about the issue while on the campaign trail.

He told a Burnley full council meeting: “I have concerns regarding the area action plans, particularly for Daneshouse.

“People have described to me the pyschological and emotional problems caused the performance of the housing regeneration.”

Coun Hassan said people were even asking whether they could secure land in the area to pursue their own housing projects.

Coun Martin Smith, housing and regeneration cabinet member, said he would ask Coun Hassan to send him details of any families seriously affected and he would try to assist them.

“I am aware that there is a lot of work that needs to be done,” said Coun Smith, who highlighted that HMR funding had been cut for Burnley.

But he said talks were continuing regarding finding a new development partner and it was hoped next year, when the housing market had possibly improved, that proposals could be brought forward for the estate.