Blackshots Estate in Grays, Thurrock consists of 3 tower blocks that contain 168 flats. These are now suffering from many defects that make them unsatisfactory for further long term occupation by tenants and leaseholders. Thurrock Council made a decision earlier in 2023 to commence a decanting programme with a view to achieving full vacant possession of the blocks so they can be demolished with new homes built in their place.
Our role:
We were appointed in June 2023 as Independent Tenant and Leaseholder Advisor. Our role is to ensure that residents understand the process for moving out, that their package of compensation and support from the Council is fair and comprehensive and to offer advice for anyone with concerns about how this will impact them.
We have played a key role in the Council’s consultation events held over the summer of 2023, signposting residents to appropriate Council staff and hearing their issues, either to answer questions directly or interpreting Thurrock’s approach as it applies to individual circumstances.
We have been knocking on doors to find out what residents’ main concerns are while distributing our ITLA newsletters. In November 2023 we held the first of a series of issue-specific workshops for residents to speak to Council staff about the moving process. Future workshops will look at how the Council is dealing with the potential for an increase in ASB and residents’ sense of vulnerability as more and more flats become vacant.
Click here to view council webpage
If you have any further questions or for more information, please contact us by calling our freephone number 0800 644 6040 or by emailing blackshots@newmanfrancis.org.