DEMOLITION of Thurrock Council's three empty tower blocks in Blackshots could begin in January next year if plans to go to tender for demolition are approved this week.

On Wednesday (15 July) cabinet members will receive a report giving details of a tendering plan for the demolition of 60s-built Bevan House, Morrison House, and Keir Hardie House. demolition work is expected to take a year.

However, the report also says that planned redevelopment of the site, to provide new social housing is not now financially deliverable and that part of the project could be delayed.

The report (which can be read in full via this link) says the three tower blocks were previously included within a redevelopment programme, and all tenants have been rehoused.

It adds: "The intention had been for demolition to form part of a Pre‑Contract Service Agreement for a main contractor to complete prior new construction works.

"However, the council's Housing Revenue Account (HRA) can no longer support the borrowing required to progress a full redevelopment scheme.

"Because the council is not able to fund redevelopment a revised option appraisal for the future use of the site is currently underway and will be completed in Autumn 2026, with proposals to be presented to members at that time."

Councillors will also consider the possibility of putting the cleared site to a different use.

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The report adds: "Following demolition, further expenditure within existing budgets is expected to prevent fly‑tipping and unauthorised encampments, estimated at around £50,000. These costs could be reduced if part of the cleared site is used temporarily for an alternative meanwhile use."

Redevelopment of the site, which was originally planned to be funded in part by sales of redundant council offices in Grays, has been an issue of contention with existing residents for some time but a consultation on new plans in May last year met with a favourable response as it protected parts of Blackshots Playing Fields that were originally sceduled to be consumed by housing.

Planning permission for demolition of two of the blocks was given in August last year.