Residents have complained of the anti-social behaviour in the area

The city council wants to regenerate part of north Ely after complaints from people living there.

It could lead to the demolition of some homes in Snowden Road and Pethybridge Road to make way for new housing and the development of recreation land.

A series of public exhibition about the plans are to be held.

The council has drawn up the scheme after regular complaints from people living in the area of anti social behaviour and vandalism.

Reaction from people living in Ely to the plans In pictures

Many fear for the security of their property and are annoyed the area is affected by crime, arson and a fly tipping hotspot.

Recreation land near to homes is regularly used by people driving illegally including on mini-motorbikes.

Now plans have been drawn up which could mean the demolition of 19 houses with some of the land being used to make way for 330 new homes.

The rest of the land would be used as recreation space with a new football pitch, better play facilities, amenities and landscaping as well as the creation of cycleways and footpaths.

More than 1,000 people living in the area have been sent an information leaflet informing them of the proposals and public exhibitions about the proposals start on Tuesday for a week.

In the leaflet the location is described as having a number of issues which "have made these areas unpleasant and unsafe for residents."

Deputy council leader Judith Woodman said: "We know that residents have concerns that the area of open space in north Ely is being used in an anti-social manner.

The current recreation area is being used for illegal use of cars

"[They] are keen to see whether there is a way we can address this by bringing forward plans to enhance the area and regenerate the local community at the same time.

"We are keen to hear what residents think of these plans and would encourage people to drop-in to the exhibitions to find out more."

If the scheme gets the go-ahead, it would be up to two years before any work begins.

Around 15,000 people live in Ely.

In many areas, a strong sense of community developed but this has been overshadowed with pockets of anti-social behaviour leading to the area having a reputation for being a rough place to live.

Expand rapidly

This was fuelled in 1991, when Ely hit the national headlines following days of racial violence, where mobs gathered to throw missiles of petrol filled milk bottles and rotten eggs at shops.

High unemployment, crime and housing issues were believed to have added to the reasons behind the riots.

Historically the area of Ely has been associated with poverty, with orphanages and workhouses set up in the area.

However, it also had its share of connections with wealth and the land was once owned by the Earl of Plymouth who gifted it to the city.

The area, which had mainly been farmland, began to expand rapidly during the early part of the 1900s to provide housing for those returning from war.