High-rise Black Country blocks to be demolished three years early
Four outdated high rise blocks in the Black Country are to be demolished three years earlier than planned.
Dudley Council has announced plans to knock down Arley Court, Compton Court, Wells Court and Manor Court in Netherton.
The authority says the move will save it £6 million and help fund new social housing.
The buildings are no longer deemed fit for purpose with huge repair bills.
Demolition was originally set to take place in 2023. But council leader Patrick Harley said his administration wants to "act in a timely manner" after the deadline was brought forward.
The plans caused controversy when first announced four years ago, under the Labour group, with residents hitting out at the council saying they didn't want to move.
Since October 2016, the council has helped 180 tenants move out into better housing.
The four buildings were built in the 1960s.
It will cost £3m to demolish the flats and rehouse tenants compared with £9m for the continued upkeep of the buildings, according to Dudley Council.
Housing cabinet member Laura Taylor said: "The blocks served their purpose when they were first built in post-war Britain but in recent years, they had seen better days and I’m glad we’ve reached this key milestone.
"With the support of residents throughout this project and our ambition to continue building new modern homes, we’re now able to pave the way for exciting new opportunities in the future."
Contractors Colemans has been appointed to carry out the work with crews set to use high reaching machines to dismantle the buildings.
The demolition of Wells Court, on Meeting Street, and Manor Court, on Church Road, is expected to start in the autumn.
Arley Court, on Swan Street, and Compton Court, also on Swan Street, are expected to be demolished by December.
It is proposed the land will be used to create new and affordable housing.
