WORK has started in earnest on a £1.7million project to transform the fortunes of a terrace once dubbed ‘the worst street in Colne’.

Several years of talks and negotiations with property owners have finally resulted in action being taken on Walton Street, in Waterside.

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Eventually, the 27 terrace properties will be replaced by 26 two-bedroom homes and one three-bedroom property.

Several other houses in Walton Street will also be given a makeover by the Manchester-based firm PlaceFirst. The homes were initially acquired under the former Housing Market Renewal programme but there were delays while finance was secured and the last remaining tenants were offered deals to move out.

Coun Tony Greaves, who represents the ward on Pendle Council, said the terrace was ‘the worst street in Colne’ at an executive committee meeting in October 2009.

Coun Greaves, also cabinet member for economic development, said: “These council-owned houses have been a blot on the area for too long after the original plans for the area fell through due to a lack of funding.

“We are delighted that PlaceFirst will now completely renovate these empty houses in a way which fits in with this historic part of Colne.”

Once finalised, the scheme will be managed by Housing Pendle, part of the Together Housing Group.

Martin Ellerby, PlaceFirst’s head of new business, said: “It’s great to see work starting on site and real change being delivered in this neighbourhood.

“These empty homes have been a real issue for the local community for several years but working with Together Housing Group and in part- nership with Pendle Borough Council, we are transforming these properties into modern, energy efficient homes on the doorstop of Colne’s historic town centre.”