RESIDENTS on a Hampshire estate have won the first round of a battle to stop a housing association flattening their homes.

But many residents on the Velmore Estate in Chandler's Ford fear it is only a temporary stay of execution before Atlantic Housing Limited comes knocking at their doors with fresh redevelopment proposals.

The housing association has now gone back to the drawing board and Peter Walters, chief executive of Atlantic's parent organisation, First Wessex Housing Group, has revealed to the Daily Echo that it is determined to build bridges with residents.

The housing association's decision, reported yesterday on the Daily Echo's website, to withdraw seven previous planning applications, comes just weeks after it was accused of being "faceless and uncaring" in the way it had consulted residents.

The criticisms were an independent report commissioned by Eastleigh Borough Council following advice from Help the Aged.

Massive redevelopment proposals would have involved the demolition of 127 bungalows and their replacement with 235 homes - a mixture of bungalows, houses and flats.

Hazel Giles, 68, of Cornwall Road, said she was "elated" and "over the moon" that the planning applications had been withdrawn.

She said: "Now I know that I am going to stay a while I can go out and buy that new carpet and perhaps a bottle of champagne."

Like many other residents Mrs Giles realises that this is not the end of the story.

She said: "We know they will be back. Feelings have been running high over this but by withdrawing the applications it will allow things to cool down a bit."

Another pensioner, who has lived in her Velmore bungalow for 34 years and did not want to be named, said she would not be happy until the redevelopment proposals had been completely scrapped.

She added: "I do not want to move. I just want to be left to live here in my own home."

Mr Walters said: "We still believe redevelopment of the estate is the best option for the community as a whole but we need to approach it sensitively.

"We want to work with residents to put together a revised scheme which could increase the number of replacement bungalows and avoid people having to move twice while work is carried out."

Mr Walters added: "We will take a fresh look at our plans with the steering group of residents and residents' association representatives."

Council leader Keith House said: "The council is pleased that the housing association has recognised the very real concerns of the Velmore community about these applications.

"It is in the interests of everyone that a fresh start be made on the complex, yet urgent, housing needs of the Velmore community."