Tenant windfall as Oswestry housing estate will be demolished

Shropshire Council has given the go-ahead for 48 properties on a drug-hit Oswestry housing estate to be demolished, with tenants each in line for £4,700 payouts.

Cabinet members unanimously approved the demolition of the homes at Swan Lane during a meeting yesterday afternoon at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

The council plans to knock down the properties, claiming there is no demand for some of the homes and little demand for others, and regenerate the area.

Members agreed to officers' recommendations, which will require the council to make 'home loss payments' to the tenants if their homes are demolished following a consultation process.

Councillor John Hurst-Knight, member for Bridgnorth West and Tasley, urged members to approve the report, which is part of a council plan to tackle £87.7 million debts in its housing revenue account.

Mr Hurst-Knight said: "The recommendation I have been asked to put forward is for you to approve the demolition of numbers 1 to 48 Swan Lane in Oswestry before March 31, 2017.

"And the second part of the recommendation is to ask you to proceed with the disposal of Brookfields Close in Weston Rhyn before March 31, 2012."

Officers' report said the demolition of the estate would help the council reduce its debt settlement.

It also noted that a project to demolish flats in Brookfields Close in Weston Rhyn was progressing.