Protesters call for answers over future of homes

People living in homes made using a Raac-like material said they were being kept in the dark over the future of their homes.

Those living on the Knights Estate in Basildon, Essex turned up at council offices to protest having previously been told they would need to be moved.

The 18-home estate was built using a material called Siporex, which is similar to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

Basildon Council has been approached for comment.

Resident, Sharon Tillbrook, 57, said: “Basildon Council has left all our community in limbo, they’ve left us high and dry.”

Mrs Tillbrook was a tenant but started to buy her home off the council nine years ago.

"The older residents have grandchildren they pick up from school, they don’t drive, they don’t know where the are going to be put," she said.

"It’s disgusting how we have all been treated.”

Holding placards and shouting "stop the raac", the group of protesters made their voices heard ahead of a full council meeting.

The future of the homes was not discussed by councillors inside the meeting, but residents have previously been told they may have to move to an as yet unknown location.

Also among the protesters was wheelchair user Christine Brady, who first moved into the estate in the 1980s.

She said: "They told me we'd be out by the end of August, but nothing's ever been written down and no-one has been round.

"I don't want to move. I'm 79 this year - why would I want to move? I've put a lot of work into that house."

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