A RESIDENTS' action group is demanding a public meeting between residents and council officers so plans to bulldoze 33 terrace homes as part of a £3.5m renewal strategy can be discussed.

In a letter to the Star, following the council's executive decision to propose flattening 33 homes in Chapel and Argyle Street, Cowley Hill, the Charge action group wrote: "We were amazed when all seven Labour members of the executive voted to demolish 33 homes in Chapel Street and Argyle Street. To date we have not been given a clear reason for the decision.

There is no doubt that the whole area would benefit from an injection of money. So why pick on us?"

Charge claim repeated requests for council officers to attend a public meeting have been refused. The action group added: "Are they afraid of us or do they have something to hide? Uncertainty will always bring rumour and confusion.

"We are ordinary working class people, many of us retired. We have lived in this community for more than 50 years. Surely we deserve better treatment. The Council claim our houses are unfit for habitation. This we find insulting and humiliating. There is nothing wrong with our homes, they are well maintained and cosy. We are proud of them."

Charge say they welcome plans to make the 'South Windle' zone a renewal area and knock down boarded up homes.

But they argue £15,000 improvement grants for the under threat homes would be a more sensible option than bringing in the bulldozers.

Charge add: "If this council wants to improve the appearance of our town there a lot better ways than pulling down our homes.

"We have supported Labour all our lives... and this the treatment we receive. Today we feel ashamed."