Tower block tenants fear relocation for demolition

Jamie Lee said he was saddened to find out his tower block would be demolished

A tower block resident says he thought his housing association was joking when he was handed a letter confirming the flats where he lives would be demolished.

Gentoo said it had opted to flatten Lambton, Londonderry and Lumley Towers in Sunderland's East End by 2030 to avoid "significant" repair costs and disruption.

Resident Jamie Lee said he was shocked by the news, while another, Steve Potter, said he was told about the plans by neighbours after coming home from hospital.

Gentoo said the tower blocks required structural strengthening and fire safety works and it had consulted all those affected.

A spokesperson said, while the flats were currently safe to live in, every resident would be "offered an alternative Gentoo home that suits their needs".

The company also said it would have needed to spend £5m on fire safety improvements.

Mr Lee, who has lived in Lumley Tower for nearly five years, said his first reaction on receiving the hand-delivered letter was "nah it can't be" because he did not think the flats' condition was bad.

"They have some issues that need fixing, but I didn't think it would be 'knock them down'," he said.

He said he had been dealing with a leak from the ceiling into his bathroom, which had not been resolved, but believed investment could have helped avoid the issues now facing the tower blocks.

"It will be sad, leaving here, because it was my first flat in Sunderland," he said.

Londonderry Tower resident Steve Potter had been in hospital since July and only found out about the plans when he arrived home

Geoff Bennett, who also lives in Londonderry Tower, said "it was time" the towers were demolished but was concerned he did not know where he would be relocated.

"It's quiet living here, some people have been in there 50 years, so I don't want to be where there's trouble," he said.

"I just want to feel safe in the next property and not worried about having to go out."

Tenants had been consulted on whether to demolish the flats or have them upgraded.

The first option would see them receive a minimum £8,100 in compensation and be relocated.

The second would cost £15m per building, could take up to three years to finish, and would require tenants to temporarily move out for up to 12 weeks at a time.

Geoff Bennett, originally from Teesside, said some neighbours, including him, wanted to move out to "start afresh"

Gentoo executive director Marc Edwards said the decision to demolish the homes had been "incredibly difficult" and the company had been speaking to those affected since November.

"We are not asking customers to move immediately, we anticipate some moves will start this year and other customers may not move until 2027 depending on their individual circumstances," he said.

Mr Edwards said all customers were being offered "moving, financial and wellbeing support" as well as an alternative home.