Residents at Coniston House, Windermere House and Derwent House, off Hurcott Road in Kidderminster, were relocated over the last few years after Community Housing announced the plans to demolish the buildings.
Community Housing previously said it was “not feasible” to extend the lifespans of the blocks, built in the 1960s, due to the nature of their construction.
Drop-in sessions were held for residents at St George’s Church Annexe to look at the plans being carried out by DSM Demolition.
They explained they would be deconstructing the buildings gradually one floor at a time as part of the process.
Stephen Young, health and safety manager at DSM, said: “We’ve got guys on site now doing investigation works.
“We’ve been asked to get the first two blocks down within 60 weeks.
“What we want to do is ensure the local residents have timely information.”
Flat blocks off Hurcott Road are set to be demolished (Image: Community Housing)
He said a lot of the work over the next two weeks will be done inside the buildings.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said she recently relocated from Coniston House as well as her sister who lived in Windermere House.
She said: “I’m happy with everything being done.
“We’ve been relocated to new homes. I was relocated in 2022 and she was relocated just after.
“I have a fear of heights so I was glad to be out in the end, even though they (the flats) are nice.
“I lived there from 2015 to 2022.
“They are very old now so they are becoming more difficult to maintain.
“It will change the skyline a little bit but people will get used to it”.
Paul Edwards who attended the session lives in Olympian House next to the high-rise flats. He said he was “happy” with what he heard from DSM regarding the demolition process.
He said: “They’ve told me if you have any problems, go and tell them. But they said it should be only dust and a bit of noise, but apart from that it should be okay.
“I’m happy with what I’ve heard today – when it’s going to start – when they are going to take the flats down from top to bottom in sections”.
Councillor Mary Rayner looking at the plans during the meeting (Image: Newsquest)
Councillor Mary Rayner, Wyre Forest District councillor for Broadwaters, said: “I’ve had a lot of people complain about the flats over the years I’ve been a councillor, so perhaps this might make it better and people will feel more positive about the whole area. And also they are providing new modern living accommodation which is going to be up to new ecological demands. It looks positive”.
The plan was first announced in Summer 2023, with many Kidderminster residents welcoming it.
At the time, resident Libby Jones, who had been a resident in the flats for nearly a decade, said: “Most of the flats have serious damp and mound problems which aren’t ideal with people that suffer from asthma and other health conditions as people in my home do”.
Others described the flats as an “eyesore” and shared their surprise at the decision.
Avril Knight added: “About time I’m shocked they lasted this long”.