South Tyneside Council confirms no demolition timetable for Hebburn's last tower block
Meeting told demolition work would not begin until all residents remaining in tower have found a suitable alternative home.
Council chiefs have confirmed there is “no timetable for demolition” for Hebburn’s last residential tower block, as work continues to rehouse residents.
In June last year, South Tyneside Council’s political leaders agreed to demolish Durham Court after considering several options for its future.
Although the council-managed building was classed as safe, surveys found it required “significant investment” and modernisation and several options were considered, including direct investment, demolition, or sale or transfer to another housing provider.
The demolition option, which was agreed by the council’s then Labour administration, was recommended as the “most economically advantageous option”.
Council reports at the time outlined how the 18-storey block, which is for the over 55s, dates back to 1974 and has 111 flats, of which 70 were occupied, and “96 occupants” resided in the building, with the majority aged over 65.
Local authority chiefs added no timescales had been set for when the building would be knocked down and the demolition work would not begin until all residents found a suitable alternative home.
At a meeting of Hebburn Community Area Forum on Monday, November 2, council officers were asked about the future of Durham Court and said while demolition had been decided for the site, work was ongoing to rehouse residents.
When approached for comment, South Tyneside Council confirmed the majority of residents have been rehoused and said its focus remains on supporting remaining households to find suitable alternative accommodation.
Councillor Steve Smith, Reform UK cabinet member for housing on the council, said “residents are at the heart of this process” and will be “fully updated throughout.”
He added: “We have made good progress in supporting residents at Durham Court, with the majority now rehoused and settling into their new homes.
“Our focus remains firmly on supporting those households which are still living at Durham Court to find suitable alternative accommodation, with some having requested a move to our new extra care facility Griffin Court when it opens in the new year.
“There is currently no timetable for demolition and work will not begin while residents remain in the building.
“There are a number of steps that will need to be taken as we plan for the building’s future, including the submission of a planning application in due course.
“Residents are at the heart of this process and we will continue to keep them fully updated throughout.”
In a previous statement, the council said Durham Court residents would be “given priority for a new home” and an assessment would “establish their individual needs, including any necessary adaptations to their new property”.
The council previously said rehousing residents and the demolition process was likely to take around 3-4 years to complete and added the cleared site would offer opportunities for future regeneration in Hebburn town centre.