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Housing association to demolish five tower blocks

A North East housing association has announced plans to demolish five of its 18 tower blocks.

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Anson House and Hudson House (picture: Recognition PR)
Anson House and Hudson House (picture: Recognition PR)
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Housing association to demolish five tower blocks #ukhousing

Thirteen to demolish five of its 18 tower blocks, saying required investment is 'not sustainable' #ukhousing

Thirteen, which owns around 34,000 homes in the Tees Valley, said a review of its high-rise stock concluded that the investment needed to maintain the five buildings “is not sustainable and could also lead to significantly increased service charges for tenants”.

It insisted that the blocks – Anson House and Hudson House in Thornaby, and Jupiter House, Milford House and Portland House in Middlesbrough – are fully compliant with building and fire safety regulations.

All five were built by a contractor called Shepherd in the 1960s using large panel system construction methods. This system was the type used at Ronan Point in Newham, which killed four people in a partial collapse in 1968 following a gas explosion and has been the subject of scrutiny in the past year.

The buildings are to be knocked down and replaced with just over 100 new homes on site.


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Residents of the blocks’ 346 flats will be moved out over the next 18 to 24 months and helped into their new homes by a “specialist relocation co-ordinator”, Thirteen said in a statement.

They will be given £6,100 in home loss compensation and disturbance costs including post redirection, removal costs and work to relocate appliances.

Ian Wardle, chief executive of Thirteen, said: “This news for residents will come as a shock to those living in these flats and we can assure them that it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

“We will work with every resident individually to discuss their needs, where they want to move to and the financial compensation and practical help available to them.

“This is not going to be a rushed process; residents are our priority and we want to take our time to ensure they move to the right place, at the right time. We expect it to be 18 to 24 months before it is completed and we will work directly with them through the whole process.

“It is important to stress that all our high-rise buildings are safe and meet all the relevant standards and requirements. This decision has not been made because of safety concerns.”

 

A spokesperson said Thirteen does not have any further demolition plans for its other tower blocks at this time and intends to retrofit them with sprinkler systems.

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