Defiant Bierley families have issued a "we will not be moved" message to Bradford Council after plans to build them new homes were changed.

The tenants in Bell House Avenue, Sayle Avenue and Heathhall Avenue - whose dilapidated homes were due to be demolished in April - are launching a "stay put" campaign after being told that 51 homes in Shetcliffe Lane will no longer be built.

They say they would rather remain in their crumbling post-war homes than have their community split up in moves to other areas in Bierley.

The council, which had offered other houses, has assured them that they can remain in the houses until new homes can be found.

But the tenants have branded the affair "a shambles" and one said: "We have all known each other for a long time and feel safe. We want to stay here."

The development was part of a £22 million regeneration scheme to build hundreds of Bierley homes by Bradford Council and Yorkshire Metropolitan Housing Association, which began in 1995.

The housing association has dropped the final stage of the scheme as there was not a big enough demand from tenants.

But residents say they feel "cheated" and are pressing for a public meeting with Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe to air their views.

A furious Richard Twigg, of Bell House Avenue, said: "It is just scandalous. We were promised that when this scheme was underway we would get new houses and even be able to choose our own neighbours. The whole thing is a total shambles."

Linda Page, of Heathhall Avenue, said she would rather stay in a home which is in constant need of repair then move any where else. She said: "We have all known each other for a long time and feel safe. We want to stay here."

Raymond and Edna Routh have lived together in Sayle Avenue for almost 40 years.

Mrs Routh said: "We thought this regeneration would make Bierley a better place to live. Now we are told there are no houses for us. Our homes are not fit for people to live in, but given the choice of moving out to somewhere we don't want to go - we'd rather stop here."

The completed first and second phases contained 126 family homes but the housing association estimates that at least 23 properties will become vacant in the next year for tenants.

But campaigners say at least 30 families need to be urgently re-housed.

And they say they do not want to stay in "already lived in" homes - when they were promised new ones.

Councillor John Ruding (Lab, Tong) said he was deeply concerned with the issue. He said: "I am disappointed because it means that tenants face an uncertain future in poor housing conditions. I will be pressing to see what can be done to resolve the situation"

A housing association spokesman said: "We now intend to carry out further research into rented accommodation in the area. If this research shows there is a need for further homes in the future we will draw new proposals."

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