'The prospect of losing my home is killing me'

Lynda Kopper, 70, has lived on Ekin Road since 1984 and said "the thought of losing my house is killing me"

A 70-year-old resident living on a council estate due for demolition has said the prospect of losing her home of 40 years has been "killing her".

Cambridge City Council wants to knock down the majority of the council homes on Ekin Road, Cambridge, and voted in favour of a partial redevelopment last week.

The decision has split residents' opinion, with some wanting several homes to be given a reprieve, while others said every property should be demolished.

The authority said: "We will work with all residents to provide support that suits their individual circumstances."

The flats on the left hand side of Ekin Road will be demolished, while houses on the right will stay

Lynda Kopper, a semi-retired kitchen worker, has lived in the north-east corner of Ekin Road since 1984.

She said: "I love it. It's quiet, peaceful, a sanctuary. This is where my children have grown up - they don't want to lose it."

Of the 122 homes on the 1940s estate, the local authority said 14 houses towards the south of the estate would not be demolished.

Ms Kopper's home was not one of them.

"The prospect of losing it is killing me - I can't start again - what am I going to do? I want to live out the rest of my days here," she said.

Darren Easton, a 56-year-old first responder, has lived in one of the flats for the past five years

Darren Easton, a 56-year-old first responder has lived in one of the flats for the past five years.

His home will be demolished following last week's decision by the council's housing scrutiny committee but he described it as "wonderful news".

"Every single property should be demolished to let Ekin Road have a new lease of life," he said.

Jemma Black said she believed knocking the flats down was the correct decision

His sentiments were echoed by 34-year-old Jemma Black, a self-employed housekeeper.

"I have been renting here for just over three years. I understand why the flats need to be demolished," she said.

"I love my flat, but have seen a lot of the others and they're horrible."

Dr Maurice Chiodo runs the Save Ekin Road Campaign Group. He was happy with the decision to save the row of 14 homes - including his

The decision on whether or not to demolish the estate has waged on for several years.

Academic Maurice Chiodo, 40, who runs the Save Ekin Road Campaign Group, said he was happy with the decision to save the row of 14 homes, including his.

But he has now called for a further six homes on the estate to be saved, including Ms Kopper's.

He said: "These are people's long standing family homes. Many of them are quite vulnerable. Re-housing for them would be extremely harmful."

A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council said: "We understand how upsetting this must be for households who would like to stay, but we will work with all residents to provide support that suits their individual circumstances."

The city council redevelopment report said the plans would include 131 "mixed-tenure" homes.