RESIDENTS of the Wargrave estate have accused St Helens Council of trying to turn their area into a "slum" following a meeting in which the council's Executive Committee decided not to go ahead with proposals to demolish 199 houses.

Both council tenants and homeowners feared they would lose their homes under the demolition proposals, which the council say they drew up to reduce neglect and dereliction on the Newton estate. However, following a petition signed by almost 80 per cent of residents and a demonstration outside St Helens Town Hall, the council voted not to go ahead.

Instead, it agreed to a 10-point strategy which is expected to result in a smaller number of demolitions which, they say, will still create re-development opportunities.

Among the new proposals is the promotion of the 'Right to Buy' scheme which offers empty properties for sale on the open market with the income used for further investment on the estate and enabling tenants to relocate to other properties on the estate or other vacant council houses.

The council have invested £1.1 million of European money from the Newton 21 programme but say they would need to spend £238 million on the house just to bring them up to standard.

Tenants are to be kept informed of the strategy via a housing officer and council leader Marie Rimmer, said: "We are committed to the fullest possible consultation with our community. A solution to the problems of Wargrave has to be found. Low demand is a real problem, both in St Helens and elsewhere in the North West and some reductions to housing stock is unavoidable. Doing nothing is simply not an option if we are to tackle areas of poor housing."

However, most residents believe the council have just postponed rather than ditched the demolition plans. Ray Harrison of the Wargrave Community Association, told the Star: "They might have shelved the plans for the time being but Marie Rimmer herself has stated that the council believe the estate is not viable so, despite the large number of empty houses to fill, they won't be moving anyone else into the area or making the necessary improvements to prevent dereliction."

He added: "We are planning to fight this all the way and one of the first things we plan is to take legal advice. These people pay full council rent and as such, are entitled to the same living conditions as everyone else yet they are not getting them. We see this as nothing short of discrimination."

Student Avril Gaughan (26) who lives in Cedar Crescent with her six year old son, Callum, added: "My home was only renovated two years ago and is fine but next door is empty and already looks a mess. If the council don't make improvements, it could become a haven for drug addicts. My son and I deserve a decent home in a safe environment. We want to stay here but I feel that the council is trying to force us out by letting the area run down."