Demolition Work Revamps Neighbourhoods

RESIDENTS of two Middlesbrough communities will be celebrating when a major piece of work to transform their local landscapes starts next week.

People living in Grove Hill and Pallister Park have applauded moves by Erimus Housing to demolish four run-down blocks of flats blighting their neighbourhoods.

The empty properties, on Daleville Close and Keithwood Close in Grove Hill and Cottingham Drive and Fransham Road in Pallister Park, have been a magnet for crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Now in response to residents’ concerns, Erimus Housing will be knocking the flats down with help from contractors Instrip Demolition, before the areas are grassed over.

Ray Woodger, who lives on Cottingham Drive, said: “The flats have been a nightmare for everyone who lives here.

“We have been wanting rid of them for so long and now something is being done about them.

“It will make a massive difference to all of us.”

The buildings, which contain a total of 40 one-bedroom flats, have had a high turnover and have proved difficult to let, with a lack of demand from the housing waiting list.

Demolition work will begin on the first block to be tackled, on Cottingham Drive, on Tuesday 12th July.

Chris Smith, Director of Regeneration for Erimus Housing, said: “Residents had made us aware of this issue so we decided to take some early action on a scheme that would be a positive step for residents and help improve their communities.”