Wholehearted approval for the plan drawn up by action group members (holding plan from left) Mr R. Wareing, treasurer, Mrs M. Entwistle, secretary; Mr W. Gildert, chairman; Mrs A. Briercliffe, vice-chairman.

A marina, nursery school, club, shopping centre, old folk's housing and parks could be included in the future of Whittlefield if the area action group's dreams come true. On Thursday evening, 13th May 1976, residents had their first chance to see just what a housing action area would mean to them, and were unanimous in their approval of the provisional plan drawn up by members of Whittlefield Residents' Action Group, in consultation with Burnley Borough Council's Planning Department. The declaration of Whittlfield as a Housing Action Area, - official recognition of the action group's dream - has come after two years of campaigning and pressure. Now it is up to the residents themselves to get the scheme underway. Council Planning committee chairman Councillor Tommy Bradley told the public meeting: "What you have to do is to improve the houses. That means it is vital all of you take advantage of the grant." There are 171 houses - in Redruth, Bread, Shale, Monmouth, Penistone, Granby, Tunnel, Cairo, Shale, Bivel and Cotton Streets - included in the housing action area.

Mr David Hanson, a member of the Planning Department's implementation team, told residents there were 75 per cent, 90 per cent and in some cases, 100 percent grants available for house improvements. He also said that where private landlords were not prepared to take advantage of the grants the council had compulsory powers to improve the houses.