Residents have raised major concerns that a demolition project will cause damage to Lynn’s oldest church.

Last week, the Lynn News revealed that Freebridge Housing Association will be tearing down a set of derelict flats at Hillington Square, instead of revamping them.

Sitting just metres away from All Saints’ Church, which is believed to be the oldest in town, many are now calling for the company to rethink the plans before its history is lost.

Down the road on nearby Bridge Street lives Anita Carnell, who claims Freebridge has already been allowed to “run roughshod” with its last property renewal in the area.

She told the Lynn News that during the regeneration of the newer flats on Hillington Square, heavy vehicles carrying construction goods were brought down the narrow street, causing fractures both to the inside and outside walls of her home.

“Their engines were running, and I could feel my whole house shaking,” she said.

“They were pounding the ground from earth, and I was lying in bed, and my top beam cracked.”

Ms Carnell added that her house, a listed building, is now riddled with cracks, and she is not the only one who has faced issues.

Peter Holman, whose home is two doors down, has also suffered structural damage.

“I have lived here 11 years now, and there are certainly more cracks that have appeared recently since they did the work,” he said.

Both Ms Carnell and Mr Holman attend All Saints’ Church and are not convinced that Freebridge will be careful enough with its demolition works.

“God knows what is going to happen when they leave these Grade-II listed buildings damaged without rectifying the problems,” Ms Carnell said.

“They will damage the church, and what is going to happen then?

“If they get away with this, they will just run around Lynn, and they will damage all these listed buildings, and they won’t care because everyone has just let them get on with it.”

However, Freebridge is confident that it will leave no damage behind.

A spokesperson said: “We take all community concerns seriously and we will be working with All Saints’ Church before any demolition happens, with careful monitoring taking place throughout the demolition process.

“We are currently planning a programme of works and will finalise this early in the new year.

“Once that is in place, we will be communicating the timescales and will be available to discuss any concerns with our tenants, residents, or stakeholders.”

Despite residents’ calls for a change of plans, others believe demolition could be the only option.

Former West Norfolk mayor Lesley Bambridge, who used to sit on the board of Freebridge, welcomed the refurbishment of Hillington Square, but later objected its plans for parts of it to be knocked down.

“I had concerns about the harm to the environment as well as harm to the many listed buildings around the site,” she said.

“That application was refused, and eventually the refurbishment was continued.”

But with the new proposals announced, she thinks it “could be the best result” as future development of the site would need planning permission. However, it has not stopped her concerns for the area.

“There has been damage to some of the nearby listed buildings, which occurred during the refurbishments, and responsibility has not yet been resolved,” she added.

“I am now worried that further work at Hillington Square will damage All Saints’ Church, which has very weak foundations.”

Residents have called on North West Norfolk MP James Wild for help, in the hopes of holding the housing association accountable for the damage.

He told the Lynn News he is sure “lessons will be learned” from the company’s earlier works.

“I met residents on site to listen to their concerns and see the impact of construction works on their properties,” he said.

“Following these discussions, I raised the issues with Freebridge to ensure there is a full understanding of the points raised and will continue to support the resolution of these matters.

“All Saints’ is the oldest church in Lynn, and appropriate safeguards must be in place to protect it as work progresses in this conservation area.”

The flats which are set to be knocked down were originally planned to be part of the sixth phase of Freebridge’s Hillington Square revamp.

They have decayed significantly, with asbestos removed a few months ago, and are being demolished in a bid to “improve the immediate environment for tenants” in the surrounding area.

This phase was planned to provide 65 new affordable homes, as well as new commercial units to replace the Providence Street community centre.

All Saints’ Church has been approached for comment.