THE FATE of Wrexham’s Hightown flats will be hammered out by councillors on Friday.
Members of the social affairs, health and housing scrutiny committee will decide whether to spend millions on correcting a major structural problems with the 1960s-style properties or simply to send in the bulldozers.
The five blocks of five-storey apartments, housing 113 families in 181 flats and maisonettes, were built in 1970 and have a number of problems.
Extensive surveys have revealed the need for a variety of structural repairs to the pre-cast concrete complex.
Further problems are that electrical installations and fire-stopping arrangements between individual flats do not meet current standards and need to be replaced, and that the water supply needs to be chlorinated.
The internal design of the flats is also said to have created anti-social problems with the enclosed stairwells, deck access walkways and the environmental areas.
The council says it does not have the money to carry out full refurbishment to the flats which is estimated to cost £17.5 million.
If demolition is agreed, the committee will recommend the site is redeveloped in partnership with a registered social landlord to build affordable housing.
The council’s housing department says it has been keen to keep tenants fully informed about the future of the flats.
Extensive consultation has taken place with the tenants currently living in the affected properties, with seven out of 10 of those who took part backing demolition.
The consultation is said to have revealed that tenants are dissatisfied with the condition of their properties, particularly problems of poor heating and damp.
Ron Davies, who chairs the scrutiny committee, said: “During this process it has been important to gain the views of the tenants affected by the proposals, to enable the committee to make a carefully considered recommendation.”
Dilys Torrens, chair of the Hightown Tenants and Residents Association, has lived in the flats for 31 years.
She said: “It is disappointing that the flats might have to be demolished but given the structural problems they have it is feasible that they will have to go.
“But perhaps while some of the younger people want to move out, a number of the older tenants are less likely to want to go because they don’t want all the upheaval.
"If they do have to be knocked down, there is also the loss of community to bear in mind.”
Friday’s meeting takes place at 10.30am in the council chamber at the the Guildhall in Wrexham.
It is open to the public to listen to the debate and the report for recommendation can be accessed via www.wrexham.gov.uk
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