Official grilled over planned demolition of towers

Surveys found "significant" work was needed at Lambton, Londonderry and Lumley Towers

A housing official has been quizzed over the decision to demolish three city centre tower blocks.

Sunderland City Council councillors questioned Gentoo official Steven Gordon over the firm's decision to bulldoze Lambton, Londonderry and Lumley Towers in the city's east end to avoid large repair costs.

The buildings are due to be knocked down in the next five years and all residents will be "offered an alternative Gentoo home", the firm has previously said.

Mr Gordon said his team was visiting every resident to establish their "future housing needs".

The firm previously said repairing the buildings would have cost about £15m per building, with additional fire safety improvements costing another £5m.

Whereas as with the demolition, the buildings' tenants would receive a minimum £8,100 in compensation along with relocation.

'Residents happy with decision'

Mr Gordon told councillors about 158 people, more than 60% of whom were over 50, would be affected by the demolition, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said residents were "overall" happy with the decision to knock down the towers and that his team would help them with several aspects of moving, such as council tax.

Labour councillor Helen Glancy asked Mr Gordon whether people were likely to be rehoused in the same area.

Mr Gordon said several areas had been requested by residents.

Conservative councillor Michael Dixon asked the official what the firm planned to do with the land after the buildings had been demolished.

Mr Gordon said no decision had yet been made.