'End of an era' as tower demolished for new homes

4 hours ago

Jake Zuckerman,in Hulland

Eleanor Maslin,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Tower blocks at the Boothferry Flats site in Hull are being demolished to make way for new homes

BBC A tower block that is part demolished. Rows of flats have been taken out. It is standing against a grey background. — Tower blocks at the Boothferry Flats site in Hull are being demolished to make way for new homes

Residents say the demolishing of three tower blocks marks the "end of an era".

Torpoint, Millport and Woolwich blocks at the Boothferry Flats site in Hull are being knocked down and replaced with modern, energy efficient houses, Hull City Council said.

The demolition work is expected to be completed in the autumn.

Ronnie Russell, who lived on the estate from 1961 to 1979, said: "It's the end of an era and it's quite sad, but times change and they've got to go."

Nearby residents gathered close to the site on Wednesday to witness the first moments of the demolition.

A man wearing a black T-shirt and wearing black-rimmed glasses is looking directly into a camera. He has short grey hair and behind him is a tower block. — Carl Holderness spoke fondly of his time visiting his uncle in the towers

Carl Holderness, 57, who deemed the towers to be "iconic", spoke fondly of visiting his uncle when he lived in the Torpoint building in the 1980s.

"It was quiet, we used to watch the rugby guys out the window on a Sunday," he said.

"It's the end of an era isn't it? Parts of Hull are disappearing fast and I like to hold on to my memories."

A wave of nostalgia washed over Julie Bainton, 62, as she watched on having grown up on the Boothferry estate.

She said: "I know they need to come down but as a child this was my roots. Hopefully, it will regenerate the area and have some nice houses."

A woman with short blonde hair is looking into a camera. She has black-rimmed glasses on and is semi-smiling with a look a fondness etched on her face. She has a black zipped top on. — Julie Bainton grew up on the Boothferry estate and is hoping the new homes will regenerate the area

Maureen Gomm, however, said it was "about time" they came down, as they "shake in the wind and people that lived in them always complained".

Steve Cobby, 60, said he "used to sneak in and get to the top because it offered some majestic views to the west of the city".

Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for economic renewal, housing and organisational development at the council, said: "This long-awaited development allows us to push towards the creation of more homes for those on our waiting list."

Drake-Davis said the council had gone through an "extensive consultation" with residents before the demolition work started.

He added that there had been a "clear indication" from residents that the "outdated towers needed to be replaced with a modern mixture of houses and apartments".

The city council said the homes would "help meet demand in the city for quality, affordable housing".

A development partner is currently being sought for the site, which the authority said would keep its green space and provide opportunities for shops and community facilities.