Council demolishes 'eyesore' flats

Coventry City Council hopes the flats will become social housing in the future

A block of empty low-rise flats, described by a council as a "real eyesore", has been demolished.

Coventry City Council hopes to turn the site of 1-15 Jasmine Court in Stoke Aldermoor into social housing.

It said the rubble would be completely removed in the coming weeks, and the site would be cleared for future development.

"I know that local people will feel a real sense of relief that something positive is going to happen," said councillor Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities.

He said that the council had received complaints of anti-social behaviour both inside and outside the building, but that it had taken the authority a "long time" to demolish it, due to ongoing legal issues.

"I know that a number of council services have been working hard to remove this property," said councillor Abdul Khan, deputy leader of the council.

"There are often a number of legal steps that need to be addressed to deal with housing that has been left empty and in poor disrepair, and I’m pleased to see a positive outcome for people living around Jasmine Court."

Due to a high demand for good quality housing in the city, efforts are being increased to tackle issues around empty properties, the council said.