COUNCIL bosses today pledged not to turn their backs on Darwen's Redearth Triangle - where they "wrongly" ordered the demolition of 150 homes.

A government inspector has reversed the compulsory purchase order which would have given Blackburn with Darwen Council the power to buy and demolish the remaining 11 privately-held homes in the area.

The move, following a public inquiry in March, prompted Rod Aldridge, the businessman behind the £33million city academy planned for the triangle, to warn the plan would be scrapped if the council does not hand over the cleared site by December.

Today he released an artist's impression of what the academy would look like, to highlight what the town would miss out on if it did not go ahead and his determination to try to make it succeed.

Residents who labelled the affair a disgrace, have called for compensation and for officers and councillors involved in the scheme to resign.

More than 80 properties have already been demolished and residents said the area has become run down.

Today the council refused to be drawn on the issue of compensation or resignations.

But Coun Mohammed Khan, executive member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: "It is most important that we continue to honour our promise to not walk away from residents who are currently negotiating the sale of their homes and are determined that this decision will not destroy plans for a new school which is vital for the future of children in the town."

The government inspector's findings were detailed in a report that concluded the council should have renovated properties instead of ordering their demolition.

Christine Oldfield, who led the campaign against demolition, called for resignations and apologies from the council. She said: "The whole lot of them should go and apologise. Even before the public inquiry we tried all sorts to get them to change their minds."

She moved from her home in Redearth Street to Industry Street two months ago because her landlord sold the house to the council.

"For the 11 that are left they deserve something out of it.

"Even if they end up moving, if they play their cards right at least they will get what they have been asking for in the first place (like for like)."

Coun Khan added: "We are currently reviewing the situation and considering the implications of this decision.

"We will be looking at a number of options but it is too early at this stage to say what they will be."