Residents on a Durham street have spoken out on proposals which could see their homes knocked down.

Families living on Farnham Road in Newton Hall discovered last week that their homes, which were built in the 1960s as temporary accommodation, could be pulled down as they are no longer ‘economically viable’.

In September The Echo reported how families had complained their homes were impossible to heat and riddles with mould.

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Believe Housing, which owns the properties, has now begun consulting on a possible demolition of the properties.

In a document sent to tenants by Believe and seen by The Northern Echo said: “The costs of the improvements needed for exceed the expected income of the homes.

The Northern Echo: The properties in question on Farnham Road.The properties in question on Farnham Road. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“Not only would the properties no longer be economically viable, the among of disruption to tenants would be vast, including the need to move people out while work was undertaken.”

Pauline Hardman, who lives in one of properties, told The Echo: “I’m really sad about it – we’ve lived here for five years and made our lives here. Our kids go to school here too.

“They may not be much from the outside but inside it’s our home, even with the issues we’ve had.

“I hoped they might be able to do repair work to improve them but I’m pretty certain now they’re going to be knocked down.”

Meanwhile Clare Stewart, 36, a taxi driver who lives in one of the homes with her two children and previously told how the homes had no proper insulation, a roof that loses its heat and draughty windows, said: “I’m not too bothered about moving if it means we get the somewhere with less issues.

The Northern Echo: Residents had previously complained of issues with mould, draughts and poor insulation.Residents had previously complained of issues with mould, draughts and poor insulation. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“We aren’t being forced out so have time to find somewhere and move when we want and the council are going to prioritise us for a new place.”

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It is understood there are currently no plans to build new social housing on the plots after demolition.

The homes were built in the early 1960s when they were put up to temporarily accommodate staff working at the former Durham Passport Office and were never torn down.

Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy previously backed calls for action over issues with the properties.

Foy told The Northern Echo: “The Believe properties on Farnham Road are sadly past their intended lifespan, and as a consequence damp and other repairs are a constant issue.

“While they were built as temporary accommodation, they have over time become residents’ permanent homes, where they have made memories and put down strong roots in the local community.

The Northern Echo: There are currently no plans in place for new social housing.There are currently no plans in place for new social housing. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“That's why I will be supporting residents during this process, to ensure their views and feelings are put to Believe at every stage of this process, to guarantee they will be able to be rehoused in a fair and understanding manner.

“It is vital that Believe lay out their plans for this land after the demolition. Durham has a chronic shortage of social housing, therefore it must be a priority that new, energy efficient, homes for the social sector must be built on the site.”

Nik Turner, Executive Director of Communities and Customer Services at Believe Housing, said: “The decision to consult on possible demolition has not been taken lightly.

“We fully appreciate this is about people’s homes and may be unsettling for customers, but we need to determine the best way to provide homes fit for the future.

“Board members are committed to fully considering customers’ views, so I’d encourage all those affected to engage with this consultation.”

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