THE homes of more than 100 elderly people in York look set to be knocked down and replaced.

City of York Council officers have recommended the demolition of the prefabricated "Discus" bungalows to people living in Faber Street, Regent Street and St Anne's Court, saying it is their favoured option.

The bungalows must be modernised or demolished by 2010 to meet Government housing standards.

A consultation exercise is being undertaken to gauge residents' views before a formal solution is recommended to council housing bosses in March next year.

At a meeting at the National Early Music Centre, in Walmgate, Steve Waddington, the council's head of housing, told residents that demolishing the existing buildings and building new homes was currently the preferred option.

But John Ambler, 78, of Regent Street, told Mr Waddington: "What you are doing is wrong. You're trying to move all these people out, elderly people at the most stressful time in their lives. It's very wrong."

After the meeting, he said: "At the moment, we're in limbo. We won't know what's happening before March at the earliest.

"If we want to go on another housing list to move away permanently we can, but we will be at the bottom of the list because we're adequately housed at the moment."

Mr Waddington, who spoke at three meetings held for residents this week, told the Evening Press that nothing was set in stone.

He said: "We've got to think of the long-term future, and we want the residents at the heart of the decision-making process.

"We're not talking about bricks and mortar, we're talking about people's homes and it's a very emotive subject."

If the homes were demolished, at least 100 new bungalows would be built. Building work would not begin until at least 2008.

Barry Ward, whose parents live in a Discus home, said: "If redevelopment is to occur then it still remains important that it's done on a rolling basis so that residents can stay on site if at all possible while it occurs.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the council to do something remarkable."

Resident Pat Brookes, 64, said she felt reassured.

"It's got to be done as a step-by-step process, and I feel a bit better now and a bit more as though we're being involved in it."

Updated: 09:52 Wednesday, November 30, 2005