Formal notices to knock down eight towerblocks which house thousands of people are to be issued by the council this month, it has announced.
Brighton and Hove City Council told residents of the blocks in Whitehawk, Hollingdean and Kemp Town last year after structural surveys uncovered serious safety concerns.
The initial demolition notices don’t mean the blocks will be knocked down imminently. They will stay in place for seven years, and prevent any homes being bought under Right to Buy or council home swaps.
A final demolition notice to be served at a later date will provide a timeline.
The council says it intends to replace the buildings with new homes.
The council’s cabinet member for housing Gill Williams said: “We do appreciate this is an unsettling situation for residents of the buildings.
“It is important to reassure them that serving these notices does not mean that demolition is imminent. Redevelopment is a lengthy process and it’ll take us some time to get to that stage.
“As we have been throughout, we’ve been in touch with residents directly to fully explain the process, discuss what it means for them, and to reassure them that this next stage – the Initial Demolition Notice – is very much administrative.
“Recognising that these are people’s homes remains at the top of our agenda. It is our highest priority to support residents through every step of the journey.
“We will continue to support people through the process, including finding them suitable housing in alternative homes.”
The blocks are Falcon Court, Heron Court, Kestrel Court, Kingfisher Court and Swallow Court in north Whitehawk; Dudeney Lodge and Nettleton Court in Hollingdean; and St James’s House in Kemp Town.
So what happens with the flat lease owners who have purchased them?
They have been brought out at market rate.
Imagine the amount of asbestos that will be released.
Rubbish statement, Asbestos clearance systems have been in place for at least 40 years, before any demolition an inspection is done, any remedials like asbestos and other products as in residual gas, water or any other products is taken care of first, this applies to any building before it gets the go ahead for demolition. Read up on Shoreham cement works, same problem,, just bigger, a lot bigger.
Can’t wait to see St James’s house come down. It’s such an ugly looking block of flats and an eyesore!
Who’s to say its replacement won’t be even worse though? This country does not have a good track record for attractive tower blocks.
Another reason why right to buy should never have been introduced
Resettlement where?
Imo the Council should compensate flat owners with comparable premises. Like for like, on the same leasehold terms. It is unlikely that any monetary compensation would cover the cost of an alternative.
Re-settlement? There’s a scary word. Tent at the nearest camp site?
Maybe replace it with tower block in whitehawk. Is much needed for the poor that live there and will
Be moving there
Rubbish, how long has that block of flats up the road from this one been covered in blue mesh on lavender street with no work being done on it, more bollocks from Brighton and Hove council.