A COUNCIL may not have time to address the concerns of residents whose homes are earmarked for demolition.

Residents were hoping to put questions about a decision to flatten 1,500 terraced homes in Middlesbrough to a meeting of the borough council on September 14.

But Middlesbrough Council is unlikely to break its golden rule that no more than 15 minutes are allotted at council meetings to take and answer questions from members of the public.

Gresham ward councillor Ken Walker has warned a multi-racial neighbourhood will be destroyed, if bulldozers are sent in.

The neighbourhood action committee had planned to have eight residents ask a different but pertinent question at the council meeting.

A council spokesman said: "There are two lots of question sessions - one from the public, and one from members. Fifteen minutes are allotted to each question session, the public and members.

"Each questioner is allowed one minute to ask a question and three minutes are allowed for an answer.

"So, if there were four questions from the public there would be no time for members' questions, although the chairman has some discretion. There are parameters.''

Majahid Aslam, a spokesman for the residents, said: "This is such an important issue, such an issue of concern, the council could surely allow another five minutes.

"At the end of the day, it is our houses they want to knock down - that is the decision they have made and we have a right to question them.

"Each of our questions does not require a three-minute answer, so we could ask seven or eight questions and the council could answer as many as they can?"

Mr Aslam added: "What kind of democratic council is this? If they can't answer our questions then and there, they can send us written replies.''

Residents have complained to the Government's ethics agency that there has only been token consultation.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon argues that radical action must be taken if Middlesbrough is not to become a ghost town.

The council insists many of the doomed houses fail to meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard.