The second phase of a £15m project by developer PlaceFirst to breathe new life into 131 empty terraced homes in Accrington has been granted planning permission.

The £4m project involves the refurbishment of up to 60 empty homes across Woodnook, and follows work on 71 properties being developed in phase one.

David Smith-Milne, founder, said: "These properties will be refurbished to a very high standard and significantly improve the local housing offer through professionally managed rentals and some sales. We fully support the council's Landlord Licensing Scheme, and believe our customer-focused approach will establish Woodnook as a new benchmark in quality private rentals."

Manchester-based PlaceFirst is working in partnership with social landlord Twin Valley Homes and Hyndburn Borough Council on the project to resurrect streets that have been boarded up since the demise of Labour's Pathfinder housing market renewal scheme.