Two Gateshead tower blocks, which have been a distinctive part of the area's skyline for nearly six decades, are set to be demolished in the coming years.
The twin towers of Eslington Court and Redheugh Court on Bolam Street in the Low Teams area of both stand at 200ft tall, making them the tallest buildings in town.
Gateshead Council have confirmed that the 20-storey towers, along with Warwick Court, have been identified as "unsustainable" following a consultation with affected residents.
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The Chronicle spoke to people living in the blocks and in the immediate vicinity to see how they are reacting to the news, as the process of decommissioning the accommodation is set to begin in April.
Hossein Rezaei, a resident of Eslington Court for the past six years, says the place is "absolute rubbish."
The 36-year-old explained: "It was ok at first, but it's got worse, with fighting and drug deals taking place inside.
"I have a pregnant wife and she is very worried for our safety, so we are hoping to move out as soon as possible.
"We've tried to move before and I've reported the issues, but we were told there was no free housing.
"So I was happy when I received my letter saying we had to leave."
Deborah Guild, who currently lives in Redheugh Court, is happy the block is being demolished after six "nightmare years" there.
The 50-year-old, who is currently unemployed due to health issues, explained: "I feel like an inmate. I've got damp all over the walls, which makes my COPD worse, and the place is full of drugs and idiots. It's a blessing that the place is being torn down.
"They should have brought security in a long time ago, plus there's a rat problem and I can't remember the last time the place had a good clean.
"Then there's been the fires - we've had a mixture of arson attacks and accidental incidents which makes you feel unsafe."
She said that "given the conditions" she's never been able to "call the place home", and now has housing applications submitted to be moved elsewhere.
37-year-old Nathan Gordon, who lives just across the road, called the blocks an "eyesore" that have "blighted" the area.
He said he often sees police arriving to deal with "unsavoury characters" and that he is "delighted that they are being knocked down.
"Hopefully they will be replaced with something for the kids and community" he added.
Lisa Clarke, 47, has lived opposite the flats for 9 years and said "it's about time" the blocks were pulled down.
"The place is awful and causes a lot of trouble. The emergency services are here all the time, dealing with fights and drug issues.
"A man died in one of the blocks, I've seen people throw bottles at police officers from their windows, and we now have patrols in our street.
"I'm hoping for some new housing that might actually be looked after."
Lisa was referring to an incident that took place in 2020, when a “vulnerable” man died in hospital after a violent incident in which four people smashed their way into one of the flats.
Detectives investigating the death did not treat the death of Michael Malloy as murder.
Gateshead Council explained why they have decided to demolish the flats so soon after undertaking building work on them.
A spokesman for the council said: "Gateshead Council can confirm Eslington Court, along with Redheugh Court and Warwick Court have been identified as unsustainable following an options appraisal exercise, which included consultation with affected residents.
"The improvements to the building are linked to the building safety agenda and our ongoing programme of Fire Risk Assessments, these include the installation of flat fire doors and the replacement of ceiling and floor coverings.
"While the buildings are occupied we have an statutory obligation to maintain them and make sure they are safe.
"In April we will begin the process of decommissioning Eslington Court and rehoming residents, which we anticipate will take up to two years, after which time the structure will be demolished."
Both Redheugh Court and Eslington Court will be demolished, while residents will be moved out of the smaller block of flats at Warwick Court on Warwick Street near the town centre - although a decision on the structure's future has not yet been made.
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