THERE will be an investigation into controversial plans to flatten a Teesside neighbourhood.

An investigative officer has been appointed by Local Government Ombudsman Patricia Thomas to examine Middlesbrough Council plans to demolish 1,500 town centre homes.

Cecilia Denton will look into whether several leading councillors should have declared their interest in a housing organisation after two of them voted for the mass demolition at a decision- making meeting of the council's executive chaired by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon.

She will also investigate an alleged lack of consultation with residents, and the concern that the plans have affected house values, creating a planning blight.

The council has been given 28 days to address those concerns and "several specific further questions'' included in a letter from the investigator.

Resident Eddie Johnson, who asked for the Ombudsman's intervention, said last night: "I am comfortable that the Ombudsman is taking an interest. We have to make a stand.''

Cabinet member for regeneration Councillor David Budd said: "We have no problem with the Ombudsman looking at what we have done.

"We will respond. I think all those questions have been forwarded before and we have a perfectly reasonable answer to them.''

Middlesbrough's deputy mayor, Councillor Bob Brady, who is also chairman of the Erimus housing organisation, which took over the council's housing stock, voted for demolition of the 1,500 homes together with fellow director and executive member Councillor Paul Thompson.

Also at July's meeting was Erimus director Councillor Mike Carr, who chairs the council's overview and scrutiny board. He is not a member of the executive and so did not vote.

Majahid Aslam, a spokesman for the residents, said: "We know the Ombudsman does not have any powers: all they can do is make recommendations.

"It's not a smoking gun, but another string in our bow - and a nail in Middlesbrough Council's coffin. At the end of the day we have a winnable case.''

Ward councillor Ken Walker has warned that the demolition means inevitably destroying a well established multi-cultural community, affecting the lives of more than 4,000 people.

He says he cannot find the one in ten houses that Middlesbrough Council claim are standing empty in his and neighbouring streets identified for demolition.