Fears over council homes 'made from Raac-like material'

Lesley Harbinson has lived in her Basildon home for the past 36 years

A woman living in a council house she fears is at risk of collapse has urged the authority to let tenants know what will happen to their homes.

Lesley Harbinson, 73, who has lived on the Knights Estate in Basildon for the past 36 years, learnt her building was made with a material similar to reinforced autoclaved aerated concreate (Raac).

In a message to the council, she wrote: “Please tell us what’s going on. Have a meeting with all of the tenants, and hear what we have to say and tell us what is going to happen to our lives.”

Basildon Borough Council has been approached for comment.

“I’m feeling very upset,” Mrs Harbinson said.

“It’s my home, I’ve brought my children up here. I would not want to leave my home.”

The future of 18 homes on the estate will be discussed at cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

However, it is understood that part of the meeting will take place behind closed doors, with the press and public excluded.