AS indicated in a Thurrock Nub News story earlier this week, three tower blocks in Blackshots will be demolished once a contract has been agreed.

At a meeting of Thurrock Council's cabinet last night (Wednesday, 15 July), it was agreed to go to tender with a view to demolition work starting next year.

A statement issued by the council today says: "Residents moved out of the blocks more than a year ago and have all been rehoused. Since then, the buildings have stood vacant. Current plans will see them demolished by January 2028.

"Since residents moved out, the empty estate has experienced problems with anti-social behaviour, vandalism and fly-tipping.

"Demolition will help stamp out these problems, while new security measures will be put in place to keep the site safe and free from anti-social behaviour after the site has been cleared.

"Demolition of the tower blocks has been discussed with residents, and their views and concerns were taken into account as the plans were developed.

"The council also discussed the proposals with the Housing Service Tenants' Panel, which was supportive of the plans approved by Cabinet.

"A procurement process to appoint a demolition contractor will now get underway, and it is hoped the towers will be completely demolished by the end of January 2028.

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"Contractors will need to include appropriate measures to minimise dust, noise and disruption for local residents during the demolition works. These measures will need to be agreed before work can begin."

While demolition of the blocks now appears a certainty, what will come in their place remains undefined.

The council had an original plan to link demolition into a regeneration project that would result in new social housing.

However, the two things are now separate and no firm plans are in place about what will happen to the site.