Council moves demolition deadline amidst delays.
The long-awaited demolition of the notorious Royal Court tower blocks has been delayed until September.
Work was due to begin last November and completed by this summer, but the latest setback to the project was caused by lengthy negotiations over a shopkeeper’s move and delays to the completion of the first phase of the project.
The demolition of the two empty towers in Laindon is part of a £13 million project under which 129 homes, a community centre and a shop will be built on the site, which has a history of antisocial behaviour. Some of the housing has already been constructed, but this took longer than expected.
Basildon Council leader Tony Ball said: “I hope this gives people the confidence it definitely will happen and I’ve been reassured it will be done by September. “The fact they have started stripping out asbestos gives us confidence.”
The regeneration project has suffered several setbacks. Plans were approved by Basildon Council in December 2007 and work was expected to begin in early 2008, before funding problems hit. The project suffered a further setback last year because a number of Royal Court residents could not move into the new £17 million development next door, due to problems with the electricity supply.
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