Northampton Chronicle & Echo, 14^th July 1986

THIRTY-FIVE run­down houses in Rushden are in line for a full-scale brush up.

East Northants Council wants to make a group of houses in Co-operative Row and Crabb Street, a Housing Action Area.

That would entitle home owners to a range of special grants so they could improve their houses.

Declaring the area a Housing Action Area needs the go-ahead of the Department of the Environment and on Wednesday East Northants Council's Housing Committee will be asked to say 'yes' to the proposal.

The council must pro­mise to make cash and manpower available and to draw up a list of environmental improvements necessary for the area in general.

If approved, the Housing Action Area designation will last for five years.

Discretionary and mandatory grants will be avail­able for 75 per cent of expense but there is provision for these to be increased to 90 per cent for home owners who do not have much money.

East Northants technical services director Bob Seery says the council has enough staff to take on promotion and design work.