The issue of the structural safety of Airey-style houses has got whiskers on it.

Up and down the land repairs and refurbishments have been put off or delayed -- normally because of claims that local authorities couldn't afford the repair bills.

Then when the houses are said to have passed the point of economic repair councils come up with the ultimate solution -- flatten them!

That scenario may well make sound business sense - but what about the tenants and bulldozing communities.

On our doorstep we have the beleaguered residents of Carr Bank, at Morton, who are fighting to stop their homes being demolished. This week they were given hope when the people of Ashwell, North Hertfordshire, who found themselves in a similar position ten years ago, offered to help and advise. Keighley MP Ann Cryer has also pledged her support. Good for them.

One thing is for certain, that issuing statements such as those made by Cllr Kris Hopkins, Bradford's executive member for health and housing, are unhelpful to say the least. Cllr Hopkins says it will cost £34,000 to repair each of the houses and lo and behold the council doesn't have the money to do it. He says if there was a wand he could wave he would wave it. He has a wand and should know what to do with it.

The whole issue begs a raft of questions. What would be the situation if the houses were in the hands of a private landlord? What would the council do then? If the Carr Bank homes are so unsound who is responsible for allowing them to get into that state? Why should these residents suffer because of bad council management?

It is totally unacceptable for a local authority to behave in this way.

Before informing residents of the situation they should have put together a package of options. For example, sell the residents their homes for a peppercorn fee and arrange interest free loans for the repairs.

The good folk of Ashwell united and saved their homes. The Carr Bank residents would do well to follow their example. Hopefully, they will save their homes -- if not they will go down fighting with wands held high.