Six tower blocks of council flats could be emptied

Tenants of more than 170 flats could be forced to move out as a council looks to decommission six tower blocks.

Under the £5m plans, Swindon Borough Council would empty Hatherleigh Court, Seagry Court, Milverton Court, Torrington Court, Celverton Court and Upavon Court after surveys revealed the blocks had reached the "end of their architectural lifespan".

A decision will be made on the plans by the council's cabinet on 4 March.

Councillor Janine Howarth, cabinet member for housing, said the council was "committed" to ensuring "everyone has a decent home".

"Decommissioning these blocks will remove outdated, poor quality accommodation from our social housing stock," she added.

A report authored by the council's director of housing notes "frustration among residents has mounted due to declining accommodation standards".

"There is a clear mandate expressed that the majority of residents would prefer to live elsewhere and support the decommissioning of the blocks," the report adds.

If approved, all 161 flats occupied by people with secure tenancies would have the right to be rehoused in accommodation of a suitable size, location and with any necessary adaptations.

Tenants who have lived in their homes for more than 12 months will also be entitled to an £8,100 home-loss payment, while the 10 flats that have been bought under Right to Buy would be purchased by the council.

The council report estimates that the home-loss payments will cost about £1.3m, while the buy-back scheme will cost about £1.4m.

In total the decommissioning of the blocks is expected to cost around £5m, though the report states this is "significantly less costly than refurbishment".

The cost of decommissioning the blocks and rehousing residents would be funded through ring-fenced council funding dedicated to the management and maintenance of tenants' homes.

A separate decision will be made at a later date on the long term future of the sites.

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