THE transformation of Brierfield is set to take a major step forward with the replacement of the area's ageing housing.

Members of the Brierfield and Reedley committee are recommended to approve planning permission which could see 135 homes and businesses in the town make way for new modern housing.

If passed, the plans could see 96 homes built by the canal and the Holden Road areas of the town and some of the scheme will form the first wave of the regeneration of the area under the multi-million pound Elevate programme.

The council already owns some of the homes and is to serve compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) on the rest.

Executive member for housing market renewal, Coun Tony Greaves, said the application was important to securing CPOs.

He said: "Planning permission backs up the CPO. If the council wants to demolish homes purchased by agreement it can do so but in order to get a CPO you need planning permission.

"The application is important but I do not expect it to be controversial. It is an essential step forward in the proposals to redevelop the area."

Two applications will go before the committee when it meets on Tuesday.

The first scheme would see 35 terraced homes in King Street and Holden Road replaced with 18 properties.

The other plan is to clear the whole of Berkley Street, Claremont Street and Belgrave Street 89 homes and 10 properties in Veevers Street and put up 51 homes.

No firm plans have been agreed for the type of houses, but a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses and apartments have been suggested.

Coun Greaves said the next step would be to choose a developer to lay down final plans which residents would be consulted about.

He said: "The next big step after this will be choosing a lead developer from the list of approved developers that have been drawn up by the council and Elevate."