DISTRAUGHT homeowners say a decision by senior councillors to approve a 'housing renewal programme' is effectively a vote to bulldoze their homes and destroy their tight-knit community.

St Helens Council's Executive Committee voted for the local authority to advertise its intention for the pre-1919 terraces on Chapel Street and Argyle Street, Cowley Hill, to be bulldozed and a new estate built as part of a masterplan that will cost £3.5million

A consultation period of 28 days now follows in which the council will advertise the plans and allow residents to have their say on the issue.

Homeowners, many who are pensioners and several aged older than 70, say their campaign group Charge will vehemently contest the proposals. They have vented their anger at the plans since March when the Star first broke the story.

If the council decide to go ahead opponents will press for a public inquiry to examine the plans. St Helens Council claims surveys show the 33 houses proposed for demolition are unfit, a point bitterly contested by homeowners.

They point out the council report shows only 13 houses inspected in the Chapel and Argyle Street areas are classed as unfit.

Demolished

Madge Billinge (64) of Chapel Street said: "Who says these houses are unfit - nobody has been in my home sticking pins in the wall. We have a letter from council survey in 1996 saying the houses are fit".

And she added: "If they say money is not an issue, why - if they are to knock the houses down - don't they let us all move into the newly-built houses so it keeps our communities together?"

Councillor Wally Ashcroft, who is supporting the residents' fight, said following the meeting: "In five minutes they have destroyed a community

that has been built over 50 years".

Terraces to be demolished would be subject to compulsory purchases order as part of a scheme running until 2009. It is suggested residents would receive the market value of their homes, estimated at present to be £70,000 plus a £10,000 re-location grant. Proposals suggest creating 42 two and three-bedroom houses on the cleared areas.

Plans discussed earlier in the year suggested clearing 54 homes. However, the Executive decided to approve an option which excludes 21 homes on Argyle Street from demolition.

Under the proposed renewal area plan, 205 homes in Stanhope Street, Rutland Street, North Road, Windle Street, Argyle Street, Morley Street and Oxford Street would also be given improvement grants.