A MAJOR initiative to reduce the number of empty homes in Burnley is continuing with plans to spend £400,000 buying up and refurbishing properties.

The borough currently has around 300 empty houses and the council is keen to get the figures down as part of its plans to breathe new life into the area's housing market.

The latest plans will see five homes bought under compulsory purchase orders, renovated and re-sold.

The houses, which have been empty for at least three years, are in Bar Street, Cog Lane, Cleaver Street, Accrington Road and Pheasantford Street.

John Killion, of the council's regeneration and economic development unit, said: "The owners of these properties have been contacted on numerous occasions and some have either not responded at all or have not given reasonable proposals for renovating the properties or bringing them back into housing use.

"The compulsory purchase order for renovation and re-sale of these properties will enable them to be brought back into use.

"The vacant property initiative is used to tackle long-term vacant properties and facilitate the re-housing of residents affected by the council's clearance where possible.

"The initiative identifies properties in sustainable areas that have been vacant for a long period of time and are causing problems for neighbouring properties and residents."

He added: "It is considered that without some inter-vention these homes will not be brought back in to use.

"Many of these properties are owned by absentee landlords or people who have bought the properties speculating on a rise in the market, leaving them empty or boarded with no intention of bringing them back in to use.

The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the council's executive next week.