Hebburn: Major update as Durham Court demolition paused with warnings over housing and energy centre issues

South Tyneside Council’s Labour cabinet recently unanimously agreed to demolish Durham Court, the last remaining residential high-rise building in Hebburn.

The 18-storey block, which is for the over 55s, dates back to 1974 and has 111 flats, of which 70 are currently occupied, and “96 occupants reside in the building” with the majority aged over 65.

However a valid call-in request was subsequently submitted by a number of opposition councillors for the decision to be referred to the council’s overview and scrutiny coordinating and call-in committee.

A public meeting of the panel was held on Monday (June 9) where councillors examined the decision and unanimously agreed to refer the issue back to cabinet for reconsideration.

The ruling cabinet had initially decided to demolish the building after taking into consideration a “range of complex factors, including financial and what is in the best interests of the tenants.”

Demolition was recommended as the “most economically advantageous option” at £6.6 million, made up of the demolition costs (£2.1 million), discounted rental loss over 30 years, ‘home loss payments’ to tenants and other factors.

However councillors on the scrutiny committee raised concerns over issues including housing projections and how in rehousing all Durham Court residents it could delay appropriate properties being allocated for other vulnerable residents in the borough.

Councillor Shirley Ford, Green Group representative, said: “The impact on the housing waiting list and the needs of people clearly has not been established.

“The views and wishes clearly have not been established of every one of those 70 households.”

Other worries were around the “viability and feasibility” of the £11.9million Hebburn Energy Centre – which heats Durham Court – and whether these issues had been fully considered.

Councillor Andrew Guy, South Tyneside Alliance Group representative on the scrutiny committee, said: “The impact on housing, the information was not available in the reports to them [cabinet].

“Also the energy centre, we’ve heard today that for five years a feasibility study looking for new customers has been going on and is still going on, once again I think that plays a huge material fact in the decision overall.”

The panel also raised concerns around the lack of a consultation being held over the decision.

Officers explained three “engagement sessions” providing information to residents were held along with further drop-in sessions, which were “well attended and a lot of questions were asked.”

However a “consultation” seeking the views and future needs of all Durham Court tenants has not been carried out, with officers highlighting this was to follow later as they “didn’t want to pre-empt any decision.”

A further issue which will be covered in the committee’s report back to cabinet is the lack of an environmental impact assessment relating to the potential demolition and disposal of materials.

These were all raised by councillors on the committee as they quizzed council officers and two cabinet members around the Durham Court decision.

Labour’s Councillor Jim Foreman, the council’s previous cabinet member for housing and community safety, now the lead member for governance, finance and corporate services, stressed residents can apply and state where they wish to be accommodated.

He said: “It doesn’t just apply to Durham Court, a resident, if they want, can apply to go to anywhere they want in the borough and if they say they want to stay in Hebburn that will be looked at and it will be acted on.

“If they want to stay within the Hebburn area, they will be accommodated as much as possible.”

He added new extra care facilities are to be provided at Lincoln Court in Hebburn which could support the housing demands.

In regards to concerns around Hebburn Energy Centre, Cllr Foreman stressed it was “important to realise” the site “wasn’t specifically done for Durham Court.”

He added: “There is flexibility in it and it’s a great thing which is happening in Hebburn because it’s recognised nationally and probably internationally, and I just think as long as people realise it wasn’t specific just for one building.”

Labour’s Cllr Jane Carter, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and community safety, outlined the energy centre is a “50 year scheme with the option of extending it even further.”

She said: “The financial implications were taken into account, the flexibility around the scheme is what we’re looking at as well and how the energy can be used in different places.

“I think we’re in a crucial time really to look at how we’re going to be taking it forward because it is a fantastic scheme.”

Council reports previously noted Hebburn Energy Centre “was intended to deliver 320 tonnes of carbon savings annually” however “Durham Court represents approximately 62% of that overall carbon saving.”

Officers noted they continue to look for new sites which could be connected to the energy centre and they have had initial discussions and “expression of interest” from Hebburn Comprehensive School over the possibility.

The call-in request had been signed by councillors from across the opposition, including South Tyneside Alliance Group representatives, independents and one Green Group councillor.

Labour’s Councillor John McCabe, chair of the overview and scrutiny coordinating and call-in committee, speaking at the end of the meeting, said: “The tenants are looking to have a decision one way or another, so the sooner we can move this to where it needs to go, the better.”