TENANTS on a run-down King's Farm estate have said no to the council's plan to hand their homes over to a housing association.

Gravesham wants to transfer the 178 Wates-style houses on Christianfields to a "registered social landlord" because it does not have the £8m needed to refurbish them.

Questionnaires were sent to residents after an explosive public meeting last autumn where residents heckled council officials. The results, due to go before Gravesham's ruling cabinet on January 14, show no support for the proposals, with almost 70 per cent of respondents not even interested in finding out more about housing associations.

Chairman of King's Farm and Christianfields Residents' Association Les Uden was not surprised.

He added: "It's like the estate is a bad apple the council wants to pass on to someone else.

"Gravesham has suggested it could pay a housing association to take the houses off its hands but this money could be spent on repairs."

When asked whether they wanted Gravesham to pursue a transfer, about 45 per cent of tenants who responded said no, with 42 per cent in favour.

This could ruin the council's plans when a final ballot is taken because it says "a majority would need to vote in favour".

Gravesham Council spokesman, Louise Bratton, said: "This process is in its early stages and our officers need to speak to more tenants. If the result of the ballot is no, we will have to consider our options. We will do what the majority of residents want."