A COUNCIL has been accused of bullying and intimidating residents who objected when they were told they would have to sell their homes as part of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme.

The claims were made at a public inquiry into compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) issued as part of Sedgefield Borough Council's housing masterplan.

The scheme could see more than 400 homes demolished in Dean Bank, Chilton and Ferryhill Station, in County Durham, as part of the £56.5m project.

As such, the council has issued CPOs for several houses in four terraces in Ferryhill Station, known as The Rows - including Helene Labarre's home of ten years in Clive Street.

Speaking at yesterday's inquiry, Ms Labarre said the letters threatened objectors would have to pay substantial costs if the result favoured the council.

Miss Labarre said the letters were a deliberate attempt to bully people and that nine people from seven households withdrew their objections as a result, making her the last remaining private objector.

"These people have been residents of The Rows longer than I have and they would have been able to bring a lot more evidence to this inquiry if they had been allowed to," she said.

Dianne Headly, housing strategy manager for Sedgefield council, said the letters were sent to clarify points made at an earlier meeting.

She conceded the letters did not state this and that objectors would not have to meet the costs of the inquiry after all.

Ms Headly said many residents had contacted her office and asked for further clarification, and asked Ms Labarre why she had not.

"Because I knew you were wrong," said the 42-year-old post graduate research student at York University.

Sedgefield council's housing masterplan was prompted by a fall in demand for accommodation, which has led to areas falling into disrepair.

Most of the houses in The Rows have been boarded up and the area has been blighted by anti-social behaviour.

Ms Labarre told the inquiry at Locomotion: the National Railway Museum, in Shildon, the houses were worth about £63,000 and ideal for first-time buyers.

Graham Wood, the council's regeneration manager, said that well-maintained terraced houses in some areas were desirable, but that homeowners' aspirations had changed.

"We have moved beyond the simple requirement of providing terraced housing for first-time entrants to the housing market," he said.

The inquiry continues.