OUTRAGED council tenants who could be kicked out of their homes to make way for a new development have spoken of their "utter disgust" at the plans.

Some of the residents of The Ridgeway, Droitwich, have lived in the road for more than 40 years.

Now those in numbers 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 have been told the land may be needed to make way for six new houses and two flats.

Ernest and Joyce Sparkes, both aged 70, have lived at The Ridgeway for the last 42 years.

"This is our home and yet they want to throw us out and knock it down," said Mr Sparkes.

"We love it here. I have a huge garden where I grow all my own vegetables and I've got some lovely plants.

"They have told us we can have any house we want - any house but this one."

The proposals have been put forward by Spa Housing Association, which took over the running of homes in the area from Wychavon District Council a few years ago.

Garages

They also want to knock down 44 council garages, off Rose Avenue, and build seven houses on that land.

Roy Tipton, also of The Ridgeway, is appalled at the idea of losing his home, and said he wondered why they couldn't upgrade the present buildings.

"What I can't understand is why they need to knock these houses down when they are perfectly OK," he said.

"But at the end of the day, I suppose it's all about making money."

Spa Housing Association denied this was the case and has said the development is for the good of all tenants.

"As a responsible landlord, we want to work with our residents to give than the best accommodation possible and that is what this development is all about," said Donna Baddeley, executive director of Festival Housing, which incorporates the Spa Housing Association.

Wychavon District Council's development control and licensing committee met yesterday to discuss the plans.

Planning officers said a decision was taken to set up a site visit and that the application will be considered again in three weeks.