A WOULD-BE Tory MP has slammed controversial plans to flatten thousands of homes in rundown areas of Newcastle.

Labour-run Newcastle City Council has revised its Going for Growth blueprint following protests from residents.

The council plans to demolish 6,000 houses in the east and west of the city, and build 20,000 properties over the next 20 years.

The scheme also aims to create 30,000 jobs and improve facilities to regenerate ailing areas of the city.

Last week, the council reprieved three streets in Rye Hall and a street in Walker, following an outcry from residents.

Now, Aidan Ruff, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Newcastle Central, has branded the scheme as "insensitive and heavy-handed".

He said: "I find it amazing that a supposedly democratic group of Labour politicians could come up with a ludicrous scheme like Going For Growth.

"They appear to have decided to bulldoze the communities of the east and west ends of Newcastle, come what may.

"They commissioned a survey into the views of the people whose homes are under threat and then said that they would be ignoring and sticking to their guns when the majority are against the plan. Democratic it is not."

Last week, council leader Tony Flynn said: "We have listened to what people have said and we will involve them in planning for the future.

"We will give them the choice if they wish to stay in their neighbourhood, and we want to support vulnerable groups such as the elderly.''