10:31AM, Fri Sep 28, 2012

Spencer Court Flats ‘Beyond Saving’ After Torrential Rain Leaves Building Close To Collapse

By Joe Daunt and Andy Hughes Location: Newburn

Video: Likely demolition for flood-hit Spencer Court flats

A block of flats hit by severe flooding will be demolished after experts said it is “beyond saving” – six years after they were built.

Spencer Court in Newburn, Newcastle, will either fall down itself or be demolished, according to building surveyors.

Speaking at an emergency public meeting called after neighboring properties were evacuated, officers from Northumberland Estates, which owns the land, told residents there is likely to be no way back for the properties, which were built in 2006 by Dunelm Homes.

It leaves dozens of families uncertain about their future.

One resident said: “It leaves me feeling very angry, and annoyed. We want answers and we want out.”

Another resident said: “I can’t physically cry, because I am so angry about the whole situation.”

Cllr Henri Murison, Cabinet Member for Quality of Life for Newcastle city council said: “Although we can’t immediately put this right, we want the residents to know we won’t let this lie and they won’t be forgotten.”