RESIDENTS living in a controversial regen-eration area have vowed to keep on fighting to restore their community.

People still living in Darwen's Redearth Triangle made their pledge after a government inspector ruled that Blackburn with Darwen Council was wrong to order the demolition of 150 homes.

He also overturned the compulsory purchase order which would have let council bosses buy and demolish the remaining 11 homes in the area, earmarked for regeneration and the £33million Darwen Academy.

Last night about 30 people, including members of the 11 households still living in the Redearth Triangle, met to plan what action to take next after their victory was announced.

The council had hoped to replace the homes which, following a public inquiry, the inspector ruled should have been renovated.

Now the residents are determined to see homes restored to the derelict areas, even if it means the end for the academy plan.

Simon Huggill, of the Darwen Residents Action Group (DRAG) said: "People want to fight for their community.

"The support of Darwen residents does mean a great deal.

"They know there are people there who will come and visit them and help keep an eye on them."

And he added: "I think the council needs to just stop and count to 10, and say where do we really go with this?

"That is what is called democracy to me.

"The democratic process has worked, whereby the inspector supported by the secretary of state has said our recommendation is that these houses should be done up and we don't uphold the compulsory purchase orders'.'"

During the meeting the residents also praised the findings of the inspector as "even handed" and pointed out that his report showed that the homes are not all unfit to live in, and that the area had historical value.

The meeting also pointed to the fact that the report recommends renovating properties, and vowed to approach the council in an attempt to rebuild the community.

It is now hoped that a meeting can be called with council bosses to discuss what happens next, especially as the academy plan could fail unless the residents sell up to the council and the site is cleared by December.

Christine Oldfield, also of DRAG, said: "What we have got to do is protect the people who have still got the properties there.

"The last thing we want is for 11 households to be left there with nothing around them."