Residents to be asked if they want moudly flats knocked down

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents who have “suffered for years” in damp and mouldy flats in South Norwood will soon be asked whether they want their tower blocks to be knocked down.

In March 2021, shocking living conditions were exposed in the flats which opened up a national conversation about the state of council housing in the UK.

Footage showed walls thick with black mould and leaks so bad floors were covered in a layer of water.

Croydon council has since spent £370,000 on repairs, but can’t get a handle on persistent mould issues in the 1960s blocks.

In November 2022 the council started consultations on whether to demolish or refurbish the Regina Road tower blocks, and a housing scrutiny meeting on Monday discussed the latest updates.

It heard how 119 households took part in an initial consultation, but just 31 people responded to the question about whether to rebuild or refurbish.

Project lead, Robin Smith, said residents at a “well-attended” meeting in November said they wanted the buildings knocked down

At Monday’s meeting he said: “Sometimes there is a feeling that we keep asking “what do you feel about Regina Road’ and people feel they have already said that.”

A report outlining the detailed responses to the consultation is expected to go to cabinet on March 22. At this meeting, it will be decided what the exact offer to residents will be for a ballot that will go to residents.

The ballot will have one question with a yes/no answer which needs a 50pc turnout from residents to be valid. This is expected to be completed by the end of April.

Pictured top: Some residents in Regina Road are living in terrible conditions (Picture: Tim Clarke)