MORE than 200 homes will be demolished as a council attempts to clean up a troubled estate.

Wear Valley District Council has decided to knock down 248 properties on the Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland, because many are standing empty and are in a state of disrepair.

At a meeting of the council's housing committee this week, it was agreed that the estate was in need of rejuvenation and demolition seemed to be the only way forward.

The committee heard that the area, which encompasses Teesdale Walk, Cheesmond Avenue and what is known on the estate as "the squares" had become an undesirable area to live for a number of reasons.

Residents Doreen Kett and Norman Button said the area was once the place to be but a minority had destroyed the homes through vandalism and drug abuse.

Mrs Ketts said: "It is a shame really because there are some beautiful homes in that area. Some people who have bought their homes have really looked after them.

"It is a pity that they will have to lose their homes because of what is a minority on this estate.

"We have a good community spirit around here and there is a lot of excellent work going into improving the estate, especially at the Auckland Youth and Community Centre.''

Mr Button said: "I can understand the council's point of view. These houses are hard to let. People don't want to go into that area because of the trouble. The rest of the estate suffers because of it. I am happy about it if it stops all the problems.''

The council's director of housing, Michael Laing, told councillors that there was an over supply of one-bedroomed bungalows, two-bedroomed flats, and two and three-bedroomed houses, but there were not enough two and three-bedroomed bungalows, three-bedroomed flats and four-bedroomed houses.

He said demolition would be carried out in phases and would be handled as sensitively as possible.

It is not known when the work will begin.