Families fight to save homes

Residents will get the chance to air their views on the proposed demolition of 248 houses at Woodhouse Close Estate in a series of public consultation exercises.

Wear Valley District Council has approved, in principle, to pull down the houses because many are standing empty and are in a state of disrepair.

The area scheduled for demolition encompasses Teesdale Walk, Cheesmond Avenue and an area known as The Squares, which members feel is in need of rejuvenation.

But families who have rented their homes long-term from the district council or bought their former council houses have vowed to fight off the bulldozers. Campaigners have started a petition against the proposals, which has been signed by dozens of people, which they plan to present to the council.

June Wallis, of Wensleydale Square, said: "The strength of feeling against the plans is growing. Many of the properties are family homes and we don't want to be moved.

"Our petition is being well supported and we are determined to stand up and fight for what we believe in.

"Most of us enjoy living here and take care of the area, a small number cause problems, but generally it is a friendly and decent area.

"Lots of us will go to the meetings to show how much we want to keep our homes."

The scheme is likely to be one of the main subjects discussed at a public meeting of Woodhouse Close Residents' Action Group in the community centre, Proudfoot Drive, tonight, from 7pm.

The district council has sent letters to residents affected, inviting them to a series of consultation meetings.

They will be held at Proudfoot Drive, Community Centre, on Monday, from 2pm-4pm, Tuesday, from 10am-noon, and Wednesday, from 7pm-9pm, and at Auckland Youth and Community Centre, next Thursday, from 7pm- 9pm.

A spokesman for the council said: "No decisions have been finalised. We want to hear residents' views and the meetings will be a chance for genuine consultation."