Work has started on clearing five former sheltered housing sites in Stoke-on-Trent.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council agreed to progress with the demolition of the decommissioned sites earlier this year as part of a Sheltered Housing Review which was approved in 2018.
The decision was taken after all of the sites - which have been empty since at least November 2022 – were ruled not to be fit for the future.
Now contractor Ron Hull Demolition Ltd has started work to clear the site of the former Union Court in Hanley and will move on to Lady Bennett Court in Longton later this month.
Demolition work at Doris Robinson Court in Meir, Lily Gertrude Simister Court in Tunstall and Newhouse Court in Abbey Hulton will follow later this year.
The programme of work is being funded by £1.3 million of existing funds from the city council’s HRA Account.
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, said: “The five former sheltered housing sites included in this scheme have been decommissioned for a number of years. They have fallen into disrepair and have become a blight on the landscape.
“Vacant buildings often become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping and are targeted by vandals so I am pleased that work has now started to clear these sites.
“We expect disruption to be kept to a minimum while demolition is taking place, however, residents who have any concerns are welcome to contact us or attend one of the drop-in sessions which are being organised by the contractors.”
Councillor Robinson added: “A number of new sheltered housing schemes have opened in the city in recent years and, through our five-year capital investment programme, we are continuing to raise housing standards in Stoke-on-Trent by improving our housing stock and ensuring all of our homes meet the modern-day needs of local residents.”
Since November 2018, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has built and developed a number of updated sheltered housing schemes such as the £8.7 million, 57-room QEII development in Fenton and the 65-room Rialto Court in Fenton, which cost £11 million.
Work is also well underway at Chatterley Court in Chell Heath, an £18.9 million over 55’s scheme boasting 113 one and two-bed accessible apartments.
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