Leeds: 1960s high-rise flats set for demolition

Brooklands and Bailey Towers in Seacroft are among the six block of flats councillors decided to knock down as they "exceeded their original design life"

Plans to demolish six high-rise blocks of flats built in the 1960s and rehouse the residents are set to be approved.

Leeds City Council said it could not afford to refurbish the tower blocks in Seacroft, Moortown and Armley, which "exceeded their original design life".

Instead councillors opted to knock down the flats and the proposal is due to be discussed by the executive board on 18 October.

The authority said the flats remained "safe at present".

A spokesperson said the council had held "extensive" consultations with those living in Bailey Towers, Brookland Towers and Ramshead Heights in Seacroft; Leafield Towers in Moortown, and Raynville Court and Raynville Grange in Armley.

They said residents would be fully supported through the "rehousing process" with their housing applications prioritised and those who had lived in the flats for more than 12 months qualifying for compensation.

'Extensive' consultation

Councillor Jess Lennox, an executive member for housing, said: "The demolition of the tower blocks is an important step towards future-proofing the council's housing stock, ensuring that we meet our commitment to delivering good quality and affordable homes for residents.

"However, we understand the impact that this will have on our residents across the sites, and I would like to extend my thanks for their constructive engagement with the council so far.

"We've undertaken extensive and proactive consultation with all of our impacted residents and will continue to do so as we are absolutely committed to ensuring any disruption is minimal."

The authority said it hoped to deliver "good quality affordable housing on the sites" but that would be "subject to further review".