HIGH-rise tower blocks which have dominated the Rugby skyline for 50 years are set to be knocked down.
Rugby Borough Council (RBC) said the blocks at Biart Place were likely to be demolished and replaced after they were found to be ‘beyond economic repair’.
A report to councillors recommends appointing architects to design new council housing for the site, estimating it would cost £23million to replace the buildings.
And while the estimated cost of mending them is £3million less, surveys suggest the deteriorating towers would need to be repaired again in less than 30 years – making the replacement option cheaper in the long term.
In April, RBC began moving residents out of the high-rise blocks after discovering they had been built to a ‘poor standard’ and may not ‘perform as expected’ in the event of a fire or explosion.
Survey work found the blocks, built in or around 1968, were missing some strengthening steel angles which should have been added shortly after construction.
It also found other construction problems including rusting steel reinforcements, and carbonation – ‘concrete cancer’ – weakening concrete in ‘critical areas’.
Of the 124 flats at Biart Place, 91 are now vacant and the blocks are on course to be empty before the target date of March next year.
Tower blocks at Rounds Gardens were found to be ‘of better construction’ than those at Biart Place.
Surveys found structural connections at Rounds Gardens to be ‘generally well-formed and in place’, with concrete anticipated to last more than 30 years.
Floors and walls were found to vary in thickness – but the effect on the structure is not yet known.
The report recommends councillors fund more structural surveys at Rounds Gardens to clarify whether the blocks should be repaired or demolished.
More funds for extra fire alarm systems at Rounds Gardens were also recommended – echoing calls from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue service.
RBC leader Coun Michael Stokes said: “The multi-storey blocks at Rounds Gardens and at Biart Place have stood safely since they were built around 50 years ago, but it is disappointing to find that the build quality has been poor.
“While we never wanted to be in the position of undertaking such extensive strengthening or replacement work, we now have an opportunity to use the Biart Place site to provide council housing that better meets the needs of current and future tenants.
“Whatever the final decision on Rounds Gardens, the total costs for both sites could reach £60million. While the council has options to cover these costs they were not anticipated and they will have an impact.
“However, the safety and peace of mind of our tenants must come first and this is not an area where I am willing to take risks. I will be asking the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for their support to mitigate this impact.”
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/highrise to read the agenda and reports which will be presented to the council on Thursday September 27.
