Pre-fab fans lose battle

The buildings were assembled as a temporary post-war measure

Residents of post-war prefabricated houses in Bristol have lost a battle to save their homes.

A spokesman for Bristol City Council says it could not continue repairing the ageing properties and wanted to redevelop the Ashton Vale area by building bungalows.

The prefabs were built after World War II to provide temporary homes for up to 10 years.

Around 20 residents attended the meeting at the city's council house on Tuesday night to hear the news that the pre-fabs would be pulled down and many left the gathering in tears.

'Decent homes'

Resident Joan Long said: "I am angry but mostly I am hurt and upset, because I love the place.

"I think if they said to me 'would you risk staying there?', I would say 'yes'."

Her friend Doreen Hancock said: "These houses have lasted, they may not be pretty to look at but they're not damp and it's peaceful and quiet here."

But city councillors defended their decision to demolish the dwellings.

Richard Eddy said: "These buildings, loved as they are, were only meant to stand for 10 years, they've been there for 50 years.

"We have commitments to the government - via its decent homes standards - and to the tenants themselves who we promised for many years that we would renew their homes."