High rise demolition delayed due to roof equipment

The decision to knock down St Peter's Court was made in 2023 following a survey of the site

The demolition of a town's only residential tower block has been delayed.

St Peter's Court, in Lowestoft, Suffolk, was vacated last year ahead of plans to tear it down in the spring.

But East Suffolk Council said it had not been able to relocate telecommunication equipment from the roof, leading to the demolition delay.

David Beavan, the authority's cabinet member for housing, said the issues would be resolved by the end of the year.

Windows in the first two storeys of the 16-storey tower block were boarded up last year

All 90 flats in the complex were vacated and the tower block was boarded up in November.

The council said there had been speculation on social media regarding the future use of the site, but there were no alternative proposals for its use and the demolition would go ahead.

But work to relocate the roof telecommunications equipment had not been straightforward, Beavan said, and the council was working to source a suitable, alternative site for it.

The council was also working to appoint a contractor for the removal of asbestos in the building, which must be removed prior to demolition.

"Demolition is not a straightforward process even though bringing a building down may seem like a relatively simple task," Beavan said.

"However, I am pleased that progress is being made and that delays are being resolved."

The tower block was built in 1968 and the decision to knock it down was made in 2023 after a survey revealed it would cost £23m to maintain the site.