Residents to face bulldozers

People who live on Whitehill council estate in Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, say they will stand in front of bulldozers to stop their houses being knocked down.

Many have lived there for years and spent a lot of money improving their homes since buying them from Chester-le-Street District Council.

But householders and residents have been locked in a long-running battle with Nomad Housing Group.

It has submitted a planning application to the district council to knock down the empty houses on Whitehill Crescent and Byron Avenue.

Nomad wants to build 260 homes once the estate has been cleared in a scheme involving the council, Bellway and the Durham Miners' Association.

But householders feel they are being unfairly pushed out and have not been offered a fair price or compensated for the stress of relocating.

Fifteen residents have formed Pelton Fell Homeowners and pledged to oppose the development.

Spokesman Norman Dover said: "We are going to stay put and show that we have the zeal to fight.

"They can knock down the houses around me and get their saws out to cut walls straight if they like, as long as it is safe, but I am going nowhere. It is a question of not being cheated out of what is rightfully yours. We are not going to let them railroad this through."

Residents have received a letter from Nomad development director and deputy chief executive Ian Prescott.

He hopes to resolve the ongoing dispute about how much householders will be given for their homes and wants to arrange visits to begin the valuation process.

Mr Prescott also informed them that five vacant blocks near their homes are likely to be demolished this summer.

He said: "Our aim in demolishing these blocks is to reduce the opportunity for vandalism and anti-social-behaviour on the estate.

"Demolition works will commence shortly after planning permission is granted."

The consortium expects demolition to start in July, pending planning approval.