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One of Britain's most famous seaside towns is embarking on a £55million project to regenerate an area by demolishing up to 400 "poor-quality" homes. Blackpool Council is applying for planning permission to knock down the properties and replace them with new, "high-quality" homes.

The council said housing conditions in central Blackpool are "some of the worst in England". The Lancashire resort, famous for its illuminations and Tower, has been chosen by the Government for the regeneration programme to improve housing. More than £90 million of Government funding is being allocated, £54.5 million of which will be used to buy and clear up to 400 of the subpar properties and start building up to 230 new homes in their place.

The new homes are set to be modern, energy efficient and come with private gardens.

"The aim is to give people more choice of good-quality homes and help fix long-standing problems in the local housing market," Blackpool Council said.

However, many locals in Blackpool's Revoe area - where the transformation project would be carried out - have expressed concerns.

At a community meeting last month, residents told the council leader they did not want the scheme, with one woman saying the plans are "destroying this community", the BBC reports.

Another resident said: "We want the houses which need it, to be refurbished and keep this community together, instead of them being knocked down. People here do not want this."

Amenities like shops, green spaces and improved tree-lined streets are also part of the plans.

The work, if approved, will represent the first stage of the housing regeneration in Blackpool.

It would focus on properties in and around an area of Central Drive which is one of the main roads through the town.

The neighbourhood is about a 10-minute walk from Central Pier off Blackpool's Promenade.

The council says it wants to encourage walking, cycling and healthier lifestyles through the regeneration.

It is hoped the refurbished streets will make it "easier and safer" for people to walk, helping to reduce car journeys.

There is also set to be a new cycle lane, more play areas and increased biodiversity, making the town "more environmentally friendly".

Council chiefs hope the creation of new green spaces could help improve mental health and give locals more places to relax.

Four different types of homes are to be introduced, ranging from one to two-bedroom flats, including sheltered housing for over 55s, and town houses with three to four bedrooms.

New terraced homes will be "built in a grid layout to reflect the area's history and character".

Blackpool Council is now asking for feedback on the proposals which will form part of a future planning application.