A tower block built in one of the most deprived parts of Wolverhampton is to be pulled down as part of a major regeneration of Blakenhall.
Phoenix Rise, a crumbling 17-storey high rise built in the 1960s, will be demolished and residents rehoused as part of regeneration efforts. The block has 135 flats but is believed around a third are lying empty.
Residents today said they would be happy to be moved on if it meant they could find newer accommodation nearer the city centre.
Sadir Mahmoud, aged 23, said: “I don’t like it here at all to be honest - the corridors are often dirty and the lifts have been broke for quite a while.”
And Akram Omar, aged 27, said: “I am happy myself but I know of people here who want to move. If it improves the area then I don’t see any harm in pulling it down and moving people.”
Councillor Paddy Bradley, regeneration boss, said: “Once the block is pulled down it will greatly benefit Blakenhall. We want to see that area totally revived. It has been a blot on the landscape and we want better.”
The flats are next to Blakenhall Gardens, where Haslam Homes wants to create nine new shops with 36 contemporary apartments and more than 100 houses.
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