FIVE properties on Marlborough Road where a fire raged in 2007 are set to be demolished.

Newport council had been in the process of buying the properties, and had reached an agreement with affordable housing provider Fairlake to build family homes to replace the 13 houses destroyed by the blaze in the summer of 2007.

Yesterday Newport councillors approved a recommendation from planning officers that a council plan to demolish five vacant homes was acceptable.

Newport council earmarked £85,000 of cash for demolishing homes in Marlborough Road back in April.

Most of the homes in the terrace were demolished a number of years ago after they were deemed a health and safety risk after the fire.