First tower block demolition under way
Monkscoole House in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, is the first tower block to be demolished by the Housing Executive under its recent Tower Block Action Plan.
Demolition of the tower block, which was built in the 1960’s, got underway this week and it is anticipated that it will take up to six weeks to complete.
A full public consultation on the Tower Block strategy was delivered in 2018 and the action plan for the removal of all 33 tower blocks across Northern Ireland was developed a year later.
Monkscoole House’s sister building, Abbottscoole House, is also due to be demolished in the initial phases of the plan, with new, high-spec, energy efficient social housing planned for the site.
A business case for the future of Abbottscoole House is currently being developed.
Two other adjacent tower blocks, Carncoole House and Glencoole House, will be improved and retained for a longer period.
When the action plan was developed,, the estimated future investment needed for all 33 tower blocks was in excess of £308 million and it was argued this money would be better spent being invested in new, modern homes.
The action plan stretches over 10 plus years and blocks have been listed under three categories – short term (1-5 years), medium term (6 – 10 years) and long term (10+ years).
For further information, visit the Tower Block Strategy portal: