A young mum has started a petition to bring down the three tower blocks on the Seabrooke Rise Estate after Council Leader John Kent said last week he would spare them from demolition.

Young families and other residents reacted with disappointment after Mr Kent made the pledge at last week’s full council meeting, made after a campaign presented by other residents to spare the three towers.

Tenants of the three blocks presented a petition showing 64 per cent were against demolition at last Wednesday’s meeting.

But a group of young residents from the Facebook group High Rise Flats Grays Seabrooke have vowed to get a different result, by starting a new petition.

Rachel Low, 23, of Butler House, said: “We are upset and angry and feel terribly isolated about where we live. Some of us can’t even have the windows open because it’s too dangerous for kids.

“Lots of the people in the petition that was given on Wednesday are elderly, and I feel that it’s selfish that they have lived their lives and are now happy there, but we have to live the rest of our lives in high rise flats.”

“There’s people with two to three kids in the flats. It’s hard enough with just one kid going on at you about going outside and there’s nowhere to go.

“If the flats do stay up then those who want to move should be able to move.”

Charlotte Rogers, 22, of Butler House, said: “I think that the blocks should be demolished as they are past their "due date" to come down. I have had nothing but problems since I have moved in, and there's a lot of young children living in these flats so it's just not fair!”

Correen McPherson, 34, of Greenwood House, said: “I don't know why I pay my taxes when I feel I’m paying for the majority around me to take drugs, make noise and scare my 15 year old daughter! I just feel like our quality of life is awful living here and the best thing for the community is to bring these blocks down as soon as possible.”

Ukip Councillor Tim Aker, who backed the petition presented by residents at last week's meeting, said: "There clearly is room for a debate on this issue.  I still favour a referendum and believe the people should decide.  It is their homes after all.

"I have every sympathy with residents with young families being allocated housing on the top floors of high rise flats who support demolition.  That is a question for the Council as to why they housed young families in top floor flats.  "It is, however, not a reason to demolish the flats, which would seriously affect vulnerable and disabled residents.  There are 6,500 residents on the housing waiting list after all and there is no cast iron guarantee that new homes with gardens would be provided.  "I hope the Cabinet reject plans to demolish the flats until a time where a free and fair vote is held so the residents themselves can decide."

A spokesman for the council said: "Next week’s cabinet report will set out the position and the need to balance competing interests, needs, and aspirations of local people and the continued need to provide affordable housing.

"Continued consultation and engagement from residents over recent months shows support in favour of demolition and reprovision along with similar support for the retention of the current homes.

"The council, in balancing these opposing views, differing needs, and aspirations is committed to continuing to work with and listen to its residents in any future decision regarding regeneration."