Plans to demolish 10 Stoke-on-Trent tower blocks scrapped as council asks residents for their say
A six-week consultation on the future of the high-rises is set to launch
A previously approved plan to demolish and redevelop 10 council-owned tower blocks in Stoke-on-Trent has been dropped after it was found to be no longer financially viable.
Instead, people living in or leasing the flats are set to be asked for their views on two new proposals for the high-rise blocks.
The move needs the green light from the city council's cabinet before a consultation can go ahead.
Which blocks are affected
The 10 blocks were built in the early 1970s and contain 374 homes in total, including 315 rented properties and 59 leasehold flats.
They are Arthur Cotton Court and Port Vale Court in Burslem, Boundary Court, Brookfield Court and Forest Court in Hanley, Dibden Court, Penkhull Court and Southern Court in Stoke, and Pedley Court and Robinson Court in Blurton.
What's changed
The council approved the demolition and redevelopment of all 10 blocks in principle in January 2023, following consultation with residents.
However, rising construction costs, inflation, increased borrowing costs, growing financial pressures on the Housing Revenue Account and increasing demand for this type of housing mean a full redevelopment programme is no longer considered sensible.
An independent options appraisal completed earlier this year concluded the demolition and redevelopment option was no longer financially viable, and recommended two new options be taken forward for public consultation.
The two options
The first is enhanced refurbishment of all 10 blocks, including upgrades to roofs, windows, external walls, heating systems, ventilation and fire safety measures, aiming to give the buildings a sustainable future of more than 25 years.
The second is a hybrid option, involving enhanced refurbishment of seven blocks and demolition of the three Hanley blocks identified as the lowest performing.
Those sites would then be "banked" for future brownfield development consideration.
A six-week consultation is proposed to run from 21st September to 2nd November, giving residents, leaseholders and stakeholders the chance to share their views before any final decision is made.
What the council said
Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for Safe and Resilient Communities and Housing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Our priority is to provide safe, decent and sustainable homes for our tenants, both now and for future generations as well as continuing to increase the numbers of homes to meet the growing needs of the city's residents.
"We have had to move from the previous administration's original decision in January 2023 because it has been assessed as no longer financially viable by the independent appraisal. We have a responsibility to carefully consider the evidence and ensure we make decisions that protect both our housing stock and the long-term sustainability of the Housing Revenue Account, and the options now on the table for consultation are realistic, practical and financially viable.
"The two potential options identified could deliver long-term benefits and assurance for residents, and it is vital that tenants, leaseholders and local communities help shape the next stage of the process.
"No final decision has been made. We want to hear directly from those affected before Cabinet considers any future recommendations. I would strongly encourage residents to take part in the consultation and make their views known."
Once the consultation closes, feedback will be analysed and a further report will be brought back to Cabinet for consideration and full financial appraisal before any final decisions are taken.
Residents and leaseholders of the affected blocks will receive details about how they can take part nearer to the launch date.