WORRIED residents at a block of flats which has been threatened with demolition for more than a year have urged housing chiefs to settle their futures.

Tenants who live at Poppleton Gate House, in Millgates, Acomb, say they still do not know whether they will be forced to leave their homes - 12 months after first being told they may have to go.

The Evening Press first revealed last November how tenants were informed by York Housing Association that it wanted to knock down the building and replace it with new flats.

The association had teamed up with developer Country And Metropolitan Homes North Ltd to look at providing "high-quality modern flats" on the property and put a planning application in to City of York Council chiefs.

But the authority expressed concerns about the plans - which would have seen 36 executive flats constructed - and has not yet determined the fate of the application.

Ian Wilson, who has lived at Poppleton Gate House for seven years, said tenants were concerned and "angry" at the delays and the confusion surrounding the fates of their homes.

He said: "Not only is Poppleton Gate House unique, but some tenants have lived here for more than 20 years," he said. Tenants here are angry. They are afraid that if planning permission is granted to redevelop the site, they will be forced into emergency housing."

Mr Wilson said maintenance of the building was minimal and that tenants were concerned about finding new "adequate accommodation" if they eventually had to leave Millgates.

A City of York Council spokesman said: "This application has not been determined and is not listed for consideration at any of the forthcoming meetings.

"The council provided feedback to the applicants during the summer expressing concern about the design of the building and raising the issue of affordable housing provision."

Christine Storrs, chief executive of York Housing Association, said: "We are waiting for a final decision from planners.

"We understand there will shortly be a revised planning application going in. These things do, unfortunately, take a very long time. It is difficult to rush the process.

"As soon as new information comes in, we will inform the tenants as soon as possible. We will also work with the city council, when the time comes, to start moving people out and find suitable rehousing. At the moment, this is out of our hands."

Updated: 09:26 Wednesday, November 23, 2005