Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
James Robinson

Hundreds of people will need to be rehoused before demolition of Gateshead's two tallest towers

More than 350 people will have to be rehoused before Gateshead's two tallest buildings are demolished.

Gateshead Council confirmed earlier this week that Eslington Court and Redheugh Court in the Low Teams area will come down after being deemed unsustainable.

New homes will also need to be found for residents living in Warwick Court on Warwick Street - but the future of the building itself is yet to be decided.

Read more: Go here for the very latest breaking news updates from across the North East

The council has now confirmed that a total of 356 residents will need new homes before the 200ft tall tower blocks are demolished.

The number of people currently living in each building is:

  • Eslington Court - 141 council residents
  • Redheugh Court - 137 council residents
  • Warwick Court - 78 council residents

The council has said it expects the process of "decommissioning" the tower blocks and rehoming the residents will take up to two years, after which the buildings will be demolished.

The news the tower blocks will be demolished has actually been welcomed by some residents, who spoke of drug problems and anti-social behaviour blighting the neighbourhood. One resident even described it as a "blessing."

Deliberate and accidental fires were also mentioned as well as the general poor condition of the flats.

However, there has been some criticism of the fact money has recently been spent to improve flooring and install new fire doors in Elsington and Redheugh.

The council said this was due to the fact it had a "statutory obligation to maintain them and make sure they are safe."

For the latest local news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.