Private pre-fab homes can remain

Some pre-fabs were built by German POWs

Privately-owned pre-fab homes in Bristol will not be affected by the council's plans to redevelop its homes.

More than 300 council-owned pre-fab homes across 12 sites in the city are due for demolition from 2005 onwards.

But the city council says proposals put forward by developers Bovis do not affect 102 privately-owned pre-fabs.

The pre-fabs were built to solve the post-war housing crisis, but have failed to meet the government's Decent Homes Standard.

'Tremendous stress'

Councillor Richard Eddy told the BBC: "Bovis' proposals indicate that this [the redevelopment of the pre-fabs] won't have an impact on existing homeowners - people who have bought prefabs and thought the development would lead to compulsory purchase orders.

"This is the best overall deal for the pre-fab community.

"More than 120 families have already moved into new council homes, and one-for-one we can offer replacement properties," he added.

Dave Drew, chairman of the pre-fab preservation group, added: "Since January 2003, residents have been subjected to a tremendous amount of stress.

"We want something carved in stone that these residents won't be shunted around with the promise that they may be able to come back."