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Stoke-on-Trent tower block residents wait over demolition plans

BBC Sandra DeanBBC
Sandra Dean, a resident of one of the blocks, says it is not right that people are "in limbo"

Residents living in several Stoke-on-Trent tower blocks that are threatened with demolition will have to wait until next year to find out what will happen.

A consultation into the plans to either renovate or demolish the 10 blocks ended last week.

Whatever option is chosen for the buildings in Hanley, Blurton, Stoke and Burslem will cost the city council between £41m and £78m.

The findings of the consultation will be discussed in 2023, the council said.

Sandra Dean, who lives in Port Vale Court, Burslem, said she wanted to leave as soon as possible.

"They've [the council] said January. I told them straight it's not on. People are in limbo - they don't know if they're coming down or not.

"This has been in the pipeline a long time and I think they're coming down. The timescale is disgusting."

Google Port Vale CourtGoogle
Port Vale Court is one of the blocks that could be demolished

Pat, who is in her 50s, owns her flat in Robinson Court, Blurton, where she has lived for 11 years and pays the council a lease. Her family has been there since the 1970s.

She said: "As far as I'm concerned the council have had more than ample time to say more.

"This isn't something that they thought of a couple of months ago. This has been in the planning for years.

"It's unfair to leave people hanging like this especially the elderly people living in the flats.

"There was a big campaign to say the consultation was starting but now... nothing."

The local authority has said new homes will be found for residents, but some tenants and owners have blamed the council for letting the blocks fall into disrepair over the years.

A spokesperson for the Conservative-led authority said on Tuesday: "Following consultation, the feedback received is being considered and will be reflected within the next project proposals that are due to be presented to cabinet next year for approval.

"Once the proposals have been agreed upon, they will be available to all tower block residents."

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