241 HOMES TO BE TORN DOWN.

Byline: By SAM LISTER

A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to regenerate one of Wirral's poorest areas will include the demolition of 241 homes. Councillors have backed a call from housing managers for a major clearance to transform the Fiveways estate in Rock Ferry.

Around two thirds of the new 305 flats and houses to be built will be sold and the rest will be set aside for social renting.

Resident Tony Simmonds, of New Chester Road, said: 'At first I was against the plans because I own a lovely big four-bedroom house thatwas built in 1878. 'But now I realise it's the only way forward. The area needs the regeneration and I think it will really thrive.'

In 1998 around 40 council flats on the estate at Railway Road were demolished and followed by more homes in the same street last year.

Fiveways runs between Bedford Road, New Chester Road, Canterbury Road and the Chester-Liverpool railway line.

It will go to deputy prime minister John Prescott's office in July for approval before work starts.

It is expected to take about five years to complete and will be carried out infour phases. Some of the new houses will be built first so residents can move out when their homes are demolished.

Council officers will visit residents over the next few weeks to explain what will happen to their homes.

Cllr George Davies, cabinet member for housing, said: 'It's about having confidence in the area.

'Rock Ferry was the first place in Wirral to be touched by this scheme, and residents have seen how well that has worked and asked us to work on other parts of the area.

'But we are also looking at schools and shops as well.

'It's about having confidence in the area

Heartlands facelift

The Fiveways estate scheme will be funded by New Heartlands scheme. n The scheme will see more than 120,000 homes across the region either demolishedrebuilt or refurbished It comes after housingmanagers identified two areas of Birkenhead to be cleared between Bidston roundabout and Birkenhead Park