New-homes vow to flood victims

RESIDENTS left devastated after being told they will never return to their town centre homes following major flooding have been promised the chance to reunite their community.

- DANIEL HOLLAND Local democracy reporter

Families had to be evacuated from the council-owned Priory Court in Gateshead earlier this month after water came flowing “like a waterfall” through the block and caused such severe damage that it could take months to restore its electricity supply.

Gateshead Council is now decommissioning the high-rise apartments with immediate effect, bringing forward a closure which was already planned.

The local authority previously agreed a plan last year to remove the 1950s-built block, as well as neighbouring Peareth and Park Court, and move their residents into 100 new council homes at the southern end of Gateshead High Street which are yet to be built.

After the emergency that has left Priory Court inhabitants living in hotels, council leader Martin Gannon admitted that civic centre bosses spent “too many years” deciding the future of the now ruined flats.