£15m revamp for village

Worsbrough will get massive investment to haul it out of the doldrums, including 6.5 million on new homes, 3 million on the environment, and 2.3 million on offices and public buildings.

The radical scheme will also see widespread demolition of unwanted homes to make room for new ones, and to deter criminals by improving the layout of estates.

The 10-year scheme has been dubbed the 'Kendray treatment' after the formerly deprived area of Kendray underwent a similar makeover which finished last year.Steve Jagger, assistant director for housing at Barnsley Council, said: "Several years ago we put forward a plan to transform the neighbouring Kendray estate, which has helped increase its popularity tremendously.

"This major investment will see activity on the scale of Kendray and help address some of the issues raised over the years by residents."

The decision comes as the gap between average house prices and those in parts of Worsbrough has widened to 45,000, according to a council report. Officers fear the price difference is so big residents are unable to move. Owner-occupiers will be offered the chance to be bought out of their homes at market prices and will also be paid "home-loss and disturbance" allowances.

They will be given priority when new houses are built on the site, along with council tenants who will move into temporary accommodation while the project is underway.

Local authority housing is also left empty because people on the waiting list have "no interest" in living in the area, mainly because it has a bad reputation for crime and anti-social behaviour. The first homes to be flattened are likely to be 79 houses, bungalows and flats in the Bruce Avenue, Frederick Place and Vernon Close areas of Worsbrough Common. Demolition teams would then move into Grove Street in Worsbrough Dale, Baden Street in Worsbrough Bridge, and Mount Vernon Crescent in Ward Green.

Improvements to community facilities are included in the regeneration proposals. Worsbrough Common Community Association has already secured funding for projects and it aims to build a Neighbourhood Centre in Worsbrough Common.

The masterplan will be led by Berneslai Homes in partnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association.