St Peters Court in Lowestoft set to be demolished in 2025

Lowestoft's only tower block is set to be torn down after East Suffolk Council said it would cost £23m to maintain the building.

St Peters Court in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With residents of the 16-storey St Peters Court in Lowestoft continuing to be rehoused ahead of the building being demolished and the site redeveloped, the council said this week that the "process of relocating tenants is progressing well."

In October last year East Suffolk Council took "the difficult decision" to demolish the town and district's only high-rise block of flats.

It came after a survey had revealed significant repairs were needed, leading the council's cabinet to decide to move tenants into new accommodation prior to demolition.

St Peters Court in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Dating back to the 1960s St Peters Court dominates the Lowestoft skyline, with the council having owned the block since the former Borough of Lowestoft constructed the 16-storey high rise building in 1968.

The block of 90 two-bedroom flats - whose residents are mostly council tenants - is constructed over 15 floors with six flats on each floor.

In September last year, the council said that "over 20" flats are currently "vacant at present."

St Peters Court in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Back in October, tenants were told that while a deadline had not been set for them leaving the tower block, the council "hope to be able to" help all residents move out of St Peters Court "within a year."

Tenants were also told back then that no demolition start date "or timescale for the demolition" had been fixed.

This week, an East Suffolk Council spokesman said: "The process of relocating tenants prior to demolition of St Peters Court is progressing well.

"We have been regularly liaising with tenants, and offers of alternative accommodation have been made to all remaining occupants of the building.

St Peters Court in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"A demolition specialist has been appointed to support the programme of works required before actual demolition takes place.

"Once the building has been fully vacated later this year, pre-demolition works will begin internally, with external work expected to commence in 2025."