Colne housing development comes to market

Pendle Council is seeking a developer to bring 24 empty houses in Colne town centre back into use.

The local authority's executive approved plans for improving the properties in Walton Street this week. The council began purchasing homes in the two lower blocks of the street in 2010 following an increase in the number of properties being abandoned.

Cllr Joe Cooney, leader of the council, said: "Walton Street is one of the steep streets dropping down from Albert Road, in the town centre. We can now start looking for developers who'll invest in the empty houses and make them pleasant places to live in."

Cooney said the development opportunity would be formally advertised later this month. He added: "Our aim is to offer more housing choice with nicely modernised homes which are cheaper and easier to heat and great to live in."