IN the wake of many residents' complaints about the state of high rise flats in the Blackshots area of Grays, ward councillors have welcomed news that Thurrock Council is hold a consultation over the future of the flats - which could see them demolished.

Over recent times Thurrock Nub News has frequently reported on the shocking state of many council properties across the borough, and the tower blacks in Blackshots have been a focal point for complaints.

In December last year we posed the question 'Should the flats come down' after reporting on serious problems including damp. Our report, which can be seen via this link included exclusive video footage of shocking conditions inside Bevan House.

Now Blackshots councillors Ben Maney and Joy Redsell have welcomed news that Thurrock Council is set to consult on the future of Blackshots high rise flats.

The duo have have consistently stated that they believe the three blocks amount to substandard housing and are beyond refurbishment. The pair have steadfastly campaigned for Kier Hardie House, Morrison House and Bevan House to be demolished and existing tenants rehoused.

The council has now written to residents living in all three blocks and is seeking their views on future options. This includes whether the blocks should be refurbished or demolished and replaced with new lower level housing.

In welcoming the consultation, Cllr Maney said "I have never wavered in my view that the three high rise blocks in Blackshots are no longer fit for purpose and should be brought down. Conditions in many individual flats are appalling with mould and damp being rife. I have never in 20 years of being a Blackshots councillor found a single resident of the flats who likes living in them.

"I have also asked the council to extend the consultation to residents of the wider area. Those living in the shadow of these monstrosities should also have a say on what they think should happen, especially if plans to regenerate the area around the blocks move forward. As ward councillors our position is clear, we want the three blocks consigned to history and replaced with better quality housing".

Cllr Redsell added "I know that too many residents of the flats will be dreading the arrival of another winter. Not a year passes when we as councillors do not hear from those who just cannot keep their properties warm due to ageing heating systems and poor insulation.

"With this comes damp and mould which in turn leaves some tenants fearing for their health. We are encouraging everyone to respond to the council's consultation and to be frank about what they hope will come out of this. As local councillors will go on making the case for the blocks' demolition, but will, of course, make sure that all residents' views are heard".

As part of the process, the council will be holding a public engagement event on Tuesday, 2 November at which residents can meet officers face to face and discuss all options.

Our report in December contained a hard-hitting comment from editor Neil Speight which we repeat here:-

NO-ONE in their right mind would suggest that there are easy solutions to the problems with Thurrock's high rise blocks.

The general consensus among those people, inside Thurrock Council and outside, that I have spoken to in recent days – both on and off the record – is that the flats should come down. Their time is done.

Sadly only Cllr Ben Maney has been prepared to voice his views publicly – and he recognises that the cost of carrying out demolition and rebuild would be massive.

But this is a problem that is not going to go away.

When I arrived in Thurrock to edit the Thurrock Gazette in 20045 the subject of the state of the borough's high rise blocks was on the agenda. It is a story I have revisited time and time again in the past 16 years.

Granted the council now has given itself planning permission to make changes that they stress are not cosmetic. But is new cladding the answer? Is it not time to grasp the nettle as many other local authorities up and down the country have done and tear down these legacies from the sixties?

It is not an easy question to answer, particularly as some of the flats are now in private ownership, and the task would require rehousing hundreds of families in a borough where more than 8,000 people are already on a social housing list.

But is making the best of a bad job really the answer?

And behind the actual concrete and steel of these structures have we not forgotten the humanity?

I am the first to acknowledge that not everyone in these flats lives a commendable lifestyle. Many undoubtedly abuse the dwellings they have been given. It's not unknown for residents to rip out the radiators and sell the copper and metal – then call in the council to come and fix the problem!

But you cannot operate by setting standards because of the lowest common denominator.

I have been in some of these flats and I have seen the people whose lives are genuinely blighted. They are people trying their damndest to make the most of what they are grateful to have been given

And met the children who live alongside damp and mould. Who struggle to breathe at night because of humidity in their rooms.

Not only is that not good enough, it is intolerable that these people are not given the respect they deserve.

Sadly, if what councilors have told me was going to happen – and then didn't happen - the only conclusion is that lies are being told.

That backs are being covered.

That compassion has been thrown out of the window.

It is not good enough.

There needs to be a strong, reasoned and detailed public debate about the state of these flats.

One that our 49 councillors need to engage in. Too many of them in the borough abdicate their social responsibility for an easy life.

They are elected to represent their residents, to ensure their rights are respected and the young children of this borough get as good a chance at life as we can give them. Their job is not to accept platitudes from officers but to challenge and question and demand answers.

15 tower blocks may not seem that huge in the complex problems that face Thurrock – but if this council can find a way to solve the problem of them through innovation, enterprise and a touch of bravery, then maybe, just maybe, that will light the blue touch paper to the real regeneration of this borough.

Have we not had enough of vastly expensive, high-blown, unrealistic and, quite frankly pie in the sky ideas brokered by highly paid consultants that have been conjured to put before a succession of failed administrations and a failed Development Corporation? Between them they have wasted tens of millions of pounds that could easily have fixed the problem of the tiny children featured in this report who are growing up at risk.