Speaking after it was announced that Shoreline’s Board had rejected the offer from the YU Property Group to purchase the East Marsh Tower Blocks.

Steve Beasant said:

“I am astounded at this decision. We are told there are thousands of people on housing waiting lists. Where are the people that are in the flats going to go?

“People do not want to leave this neighbourhood. This is the reason why people have stayed in their flats and have not moved. I cannot understand the decision.

“Shoreline needs to come up with concrete plans for the future of this site. If not, this site will remain derelict for years and local residents want to see new housing if the demolition goes ahead.

“Only a few months back that Tony Bramley, the Chief Executive of Shoreline told the Select Committee on Housing Provision in the East Marsh that Shoreline had let the area down. Now this time, they have let the East Marsh down big time.

“This is a diabolical decision. Shoreline could have received £2.5 million, which could have been invested back into their present housing stock. They’ve now rejected that and will have to fork out huge demolition costs.

“We will be losing a huge amount of single person accommodation in the borough. Out of the 600 properties, 300 were single bedroom flats and 300 two-bedroomed properties. They have been home to some people since the 1960s.”