High-rise flats demolition 'could start in June'

The demolition of two high-rise blocks of flats in Leeds could begin in June following the appointment of a contractor to carry out the work, according to a council report.

Demolition of the Gipton Gates East and Gipton Gates West buildings is expected to take 11 months with Metropolitan Demolition Ltd appointed to carry out the work.

The project is expected to cost between £3m and £5m, council documents said, with the work including the removal of asbestos.

Efforts to find new homes for the residents began in 2022 and the council report said the demolition would now "create clear sites for future housing development".

The proposed works would "potentially result in disruption and disturbance to adjacent residents," according to the Leeds City Council documents.

"The demolition of these blocks will enable the council to remove unsustainable and lower quality homes from the council housing stock and enable these to be replaced by new modern housing," the report said.

Proposals to award the demolition contract were approved by the authority's chief housing officer on Thursday.