Newcastle council has suffered a setback in its £4m plan to clear worn-out homes.
The council wants to knock down 370 homes in the west of the city, half of which are already empty.

But it has had to order studies on alternatives for residents who want to stay, after almost one in three objected to the plans. The studies include options for refurbishment.

The studies will mean a six-month delay. Residents who want to leave in the meantime will be offered a relocation package.

A third of the homes in the area are uninhabitable. Many are owned by absentee landlords. The council estimates that only 10% of the residents are owner-occupiers.

Council leader Tony Flynn said: "The housing is in a poor condition and largely unwanted. We have a duty to tackle this in the best interests of regenerating the West End." The plans are part of Newcastle's ambitious Going for Growth project, which aims to demolish 6600 homes and build 20,000. It got off to a slow start when residents in several areas sent plans back to the drawing board.

n The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's urban affairs select committee is set to undertake the first UK-wide inquiry into the effectiveness of government regeneration initiatives.

The first evidence session is expected for October, and written evidence must be submitted by 25 September. For details, contact 020 7219 3290.