Gentoo quizzed on plans to flatten three tower blocks

> Lambton, Londonderry and Lumley Towers, Sunderland

- CHRIS BINDING Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

CITY councillors on Wearside have grilled a housing chief regarding proposals to tear down three city centre tower blocks and relocate current tenants.

Housing association Gentoo recently announced its intention to flatten Lambton, Londonderry and Lumley Towers in Sunderland's East End to circumvent substantial repair expenses.

Whilst the housing association had weighed up ‘strengthening works” at approximately “£15 million per building’ alongside extra “planned investment and fire safety improvements” totalling £5 million, it chose demolition at “£2.6 million per tower block” instead.

Based on Gentoo's website, tenants impacted by the proposed demolition are set to “receive a statutory home loss payment of £8,100 at the time of moving” and should they elect to remain with Gentoo, would obtain funding “to help make [their] new property feel like home?”