RESIDENTS will be asked for their views on regeneration proposals, including the mass demolition of houses at South Bank, in Middlesbrough.

Those people fighting to stay in their own homes are unimpressed by news that Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which is behind the scheme, has commissioned an independent survey to register their views.

The council claims residents will be given the chance to discuss the renewal plan, which involves large-scale clearance of buildings and the construction of new homes, shopping and health facilities, which will be built half a mile away.

Councillor Chris Abbott, the council's cabinet member for housing and neighbourhood renewal, said: "We have not made a decision on the renewal plan, so these latest views will give us valuable information to plan future housing provision in a way which, as far as possible, meets residents' needs.''

But residents' spokeswoman Eunice Smith maintained: "As far as I'm concerned, they are paying lip service to what is coming from central Government.

"If, at the end of the day, people choose to move, that's one thing.

"People should not be forced to move when they are happy where they are.

"The fight is not over by a long chalk. People want to stay.''

Canvassers carrying out the survey are being asked to collect up-to-date information on existing housing circumstances, the composition of households, as well as details of what people want regarding housing in the future.

Coun Abbott says there has already been extensive consultation on the plan, through drop-ins, questionnaires and meetings.

But he said that the council wants to be sure that it has a clear picture of all views before coming to a decision on the plan.

Coun Abbott said: "We want any decision we make to be as well-informed as it possibly can be.

"That's why it's so important the researchers are given the chance to come into people's homes."

The findings of the survey, which is targeting just under 1,000 homes will be analysed by early November, with the confidentiality of individual responses protected.

More than 1,000 terraced houses have been earmarked for demolition in a plan that the council says will give the town new houses, a district shopping centre and a greener look with open spaces and woods.