Update given on high-rise tower block's demolition because a refurb would just be too expensive

Next Tuesday, council bosses are set to sign-off preparations for the razing of the Warwick Court, Warwick Street, consisting of 111 flats, though only six permanent residents remain. A council report on the high-rise states that the remaining occupants will be rehoused by October this year.

The tower block had been earmarked for decommissioning by the council since February 2022, whilst a appraisal was undertaken to look at potential future uses. However, the appraisal found that the scale of refurbishment needed was too costly, “not financially viable” to bring the building to modern standards.

Since then it has been used on occasion for temporary accommodation to save on hotel or bed and breakfast costs. It is also proposed that the neighbouring Gloucester pub is also demolished.

The demolition and future redevelopment of the site has also been tied into the wider regeneration plans for High Street South in council documents. The report states: “The Warwick and Gloucester sites proximity to High Street South presents the ability to appoint a single developer to deliver a single comprehensive scheme across both sites.

“The benefit of a comprehensive development is more viable site benefiting from economies of scale and better place making outcomes.”

Full decisions were made in 2022 by Gateshead Council to demolish Eslington and Redheugh courts which had also been identified as unsustainable. The blocks were built in 1965 and had up to 200 people residing within them.

The decommissioning of Priory court, off Hopper Street, also had to be brought forward following a catastrophic flood damaging the internal electrics last June.