Burnley reviews housing clearance sites

Burnley council is advertising for consultants to carry out a two-month economic viability assessment of housing market renewal sites in the borough.

The study will review the inner urban areas of Burnley and Padiham where pre-1919 terraced stock is earmarked for demolition under the HMR Pathfinder programme.

Burnley has been part of the Elevate East Lancashire Pathfinder since its inception in 2003.

As part of the Pathfinder work, the council must update its Area Action Plans for approval by central government and the study will form part of the next plan, due to be submitted in November 2010.

The tender brief states: "To evidence and justify this approach [of recommending demolition of low value and empty properties] the council is seeking to appoint contractors to undertake economic viability assessments of the proposed clearance and development sites."

The contract will run from the end of June until 28 August.