Families battling to stop their homes being bulldozed today vowed to fight on after being told their properties could be bought using compulsory purchase orders.

Around ten families in Gardiners Lane South and Gardiners Close, Basildon, face losing their properties to make way for a business and housing complex.

English Partnerships, the agency behind plans for the park with 400 homes, industrial, retail and offices areas and open space, has asked for information about their properties so it can begin the process of issuing CPOs.

Five other homeowners have accepted offers on their houses, but the rest have refused to budge.

Pauline Missing, of Gardiners Close, said she is prepared to take the fight to the European Court of Human Rights.

She said: "We are still determined to appeal this. It has already gone on for 15 years and the dream home we bought has been turned into a nightmare.

"The market value we are being offered will not get us anything similar in the area."

Neighbour Pam Spriddel added: "We have been mucked about for so long, it's absolutely disgusting. I am determined to fight this all the way. Our homes have already been compulsorily purchased once before and we were told by the Commission For New Towns we would be safe here and it would not be developed. I care for my mother, who is 97, blind and deaf, and cannot cope with a move. She is familiar with it round here. My health has also suffered and we are not being compensated for that, or 15 years of torment."

Several sports clubs in the area, including Basildon United Football Club, also face an uncertain future and are in talks with English Parterships about being relocated.

Senior regeneration manager Stephen Oaks said: "We have asked for information on ownership and tenancies so we know who to serve the orders on. Once the orders are served the owners can appeal and the decision will be made at a public inquiry. Issues arising over the amount to be paid could also be heard at a tribunal. We would prefer it if we can reach agreements over the purchases rather than follow the CPO route."

Mr Oaks said if appeals were lodged the process could take around 15 months. A planning application for the complex and a new junction with the A127 is expected later this summer.