Almost 200 houses in Hardwick have been earmarked for demolition and the future of 200 more are under consultation.

A steering group was created to fight Stockton Council's proposals at a meeting at the English Martyrs Church on Tuesday evening.

Maureen McClaren, secretary of the residents' committee which has been involved with the consultation process since 1999, said it was too little, too late.

'Constructive' talks

She said: "The clergy have decided to become involved now, why, I don't know.

"There have been opportunities for them to be involved in the discussions since 1999 but suddenly they have said they were not aware of the situation.

"Maybe if they had come on board in 1999 when the first void properties were coming up, then maybe something might have been able to change, but it has gone too far now."

A group was set up just days after council officials met local residents and church representatives to talk about the proposed demolition of several streets of houses

Neil Schnider, the corporate director for service in Stockton, said he believed the talks had been constructive.

He said: "The clergy were presenting themselves as happy that we had met them, happy that we were prepared to listen and understand their issues and concerns.

"I hope we have given them a clarity about what the council is planning because in all schemes like this rumours emanate very quickly."