Villagers today gave an enthusiastic welcome to plans to give their community a 1m environmental facelift, writes Tim Hughes.

Residents in Berinsfield have greeted news of the environmental improvements, which are being planned for their community as part of a 7m redevelopment at the heart of the village. The work, being carried out by South Oxfordshire District Council and South Oxfordshire Housing Association, will see the demolition of unpopular 1960s flats in Cherwell Road and Evenlode Drive and the construction of 59 new homes, together with major landscaping.

The flats have been described as dangerous eyesores by residents. Mother-of-two Tracey Knott, 23, who lives in the Cherwell Road flats, said: "I just wish the council would hurry up. I don't think the old flats are safe.

"There are no fire escapes, the bin sheds keep getting set alight, and my four-year-old daughter keeps falling down the stairs. They are really dangerous. "I like the sound of the environmental improvements, but they have been promising this for years. The area needs a lot doing to it but I will only believe it when I see it." Mother-of-three Nicky Bumpass, 23, of Ock Drive, who lived in the flats for three years, said: "The flats are friendly and we used to have a lot of fun there. It is a close community and I like the way everyone gets on with each other. But they are a bit of an eyesore. They are very neglected and not very nice. It would be nice to see more greenery instead of boarded-up smashed windows." She added: "The improvements will also make the area safer especially at night. There are no lights and it is horrible walking around in the dark." Patricia Mackie, 63, of Evenlode Drive, agreed. She said: "The flats in Cherwell Road should have come down a long time ago. Everything is wrong with them. They have had fires there but they don't even have fire escapes. We need to have a tidier environment. We want more shops, public toilets, better bus stops and seats for elderly people. I would also like to see improved lighting and more trees as it is a bit bare." Nurse Godwin Agbo, 46, of Cherwell Road said more should be done to make the centre of Berinsfield greener.

He said: "It will be good to get rid of the hostel-type accommodation and replace the blocks with individual family apartments.

"The improvements will be of great benefit to the people here and will make the environment more tidy. "I would also like to see more trees and seats. There is already a recreation area but there isn't anywhere to sit and watch the football."

His views were echoed by Donald Cherry, 68, of Crutch Furlong. He said: "It is time the flats went, and I will be glad to see the back of them.