Eighteen months ago, families in Mellow Purgess enjoyed life in the quietest corner of the troubled Five Links estate.

When plans to demolish their much-loved homes as part of the estate rebuild project emerged, many argued there was no need to destroy their little utopia.

When the Echo visited in the summer of 2005, the well-kept courtyards had potted plants and hanging baskets outside the houses.

The scene now is a stark contrast.

Many homes are boarded up with metal shutters after Swan Housing Association bought them from homeowners.

Plans for the third phase of regeneration on the estate are currently being considered by Basildon Council. It includes knocking down 41 homes and replacing them with 186 new ones.

But a decision is not expected for several weeks and work is unlikely to start for months.

Meanwhile, council tenants stuck there claim they are living in a war zone.

Following a string of complaints, Swan arranged for one of the gardens to be cleared and the rubbish filled a whole truck.

Other tenants told how gangs of teenage yobs descend on the empty homes once dark sets in and hold late-night parties in sheds while they ransack the gardens.

Tina Normington, 47, a tenant of 31 years, who lives with her 13-year-old son Blaine, said: "Within a few weeks it has become like a war zone. There are kids tearing through the courtyard on mini motorbikes.

"As soon as it gets dark they turn up and start wrecking the place.

"There is loud music and rubbish gets hurled into my garden."

Residents claim the police and council have been informed, but nothing has been done.

Miss Normington said: "We are being kept in limbo and have suffered two years of this. We can get no answers from the council. It says the redevelopment doesn't have planning permission. It seems to think it is okay to leave us like this because we are tenants.

"Last year the council complained because my grandchildren chalked their names on the floor, because it was lowering the tone. This year they put up metal grills that were already covered in graffiti.

If that's not lowering the tone then what is?"

Basildon Council will consider the application by Swan later this year, but residents believe the decision is already made.

Eileen Richmonde, 57, who lives with husband, Alan, said: "I heard the kids even got into one of the houses and ripped out a water tank.

"We don't know when we are going or where.

"We can't seem to get any answers. Wallpaper is peeling off the walls, but we don't want to redecorate in case they knock us down tomorrow.

"The council won't do anything about the cracks in our walls."

Tony Ball, Tory cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "We can't move tenants out until the planning permission is granted as we can't pre-determine the outcome.

"We are aware of these problems and the anti-social behaviour team will make itself known to tenants and keep a presence in the area.

"The shed from one of the gardens has now been removed.

"We urge all incidents to be reported to the police and council."

A Swan Housing spokes-man said: "During consultation it emerged some residents wished to leave the area early. We agreed and purchased the homes.

"We are awaiting a planning decision and once it is reached we will be able to take a decision on whether to demolish or re-let the properties concerned.

"We are working closely with the local community and the council to combat crime and nuisance in the area."

A public meeting about the regeneration will be held on Saturday, January 27, from 10am to 2pm in the Laindon Community Centre, Aston Road.