I'll never be able to return to my home of 30 years after Gateshead Council decommission Priory Court

Residents of Priory Court, on East Road, were evacuated on June 6 after water was flowing “like a waterfall going down the landing”.

The incident has caused severe damage to the multi-storey building, with investigations showing work to restore its electrical supply could take “several months”.

Around 30 households have been living in hotels or emergency accommodation ever since, including Gateshead’s Ramada Encore and Innside by Meliá Newcastle, with Gateshead Council picking up the bill.

But they have now been rocked by the news that they will not be allowed to return to their East Street homes.

Information sent to residents from Gateshead Council, shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, states: “Inspections by Northern Powergrid and the council have revealed that reinstating power to the building would take several months. In light of this […], the council has made the difficult decision to decommission Priory Court with immediate effect.”

Residents of the neighbouring Peareth and Park Court, unaffected by the flooding, are also being decommissioned in the near future with occupants being updated this week.

A council report on the three blocks, known collectively as the East Street Flats, found last year that the required investment needed for the 120 flats was predicted to spiral to £26.8m over 30 years – a cost that “may not be sustainable”.

Gateshead Council says the hunt is on to find Priory Court alternative accommodation, but until then they face living in hotels anxiously waiting to discover where they will be rehomed.

For some former Priory Court occupants, however, this is not the first time they have moved house due to issues in council high rises. James Gray moved into Priory Court from Eslington Court following similar problems in September last year.

The 55-year-old said: “It has devastated me, really, being through it the first time and the same again. The worst part for me is getting that money, putting it into the new flat, decorating it out, spending money on the furniture and it’s just money down the drain.”

Kenneth Forrest, 80, a Priory Court resident of decades, moved into his daughter’s home in Stoneygate following the initial evacuation from the high rise. Mr Forrest also struggles with his mobility and stairs.

His daughter, Lesley Stanners, 56, said: “The council has said there will be people to help him move but there are memories in that house. It has been about 30 years since he has lived there. He could do some shopping, put a bet on, talk to people and keep himself going until I got there after work.

“He knew everybody in the flats, it’s going to be a whole new different thing. Are there going to be people there who he knows?

Lesley continued: “I know they are going to get compensation but it’s not the same, it’s not been his home of thirty-plus years.”

All residents will also be given “critical need” prioritisation for rehousing including direct lettings and support with moving.

Priory Court resident of 10 years and retiree Sheila Blatchford, 49, added: “Obviously, it was a shock. The council have been great. They’ve done everything they can for us within their remit and they have been here every day since it happened.

“We have got contact numbers for the out of hours people. Obviously everybody is upset, there are people who have been there for thirty to forty years. It’s a massive upheaval.”

Some residents may face being relocated on a temporary basis until something more permanent can be found.

Councillor Chris Buckley, Gateshead Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We fully recognise how difficult this news will be, and we are currently talking directly to every individual concerned about next steps and the support and assistance the council will provide.

“This is not the outcome anyone wanted, but we must face the reality of the situation. We are committed to doing everything we can to meet the needs of each resident and ensure they are rehoused with our full support.”