The site will be used to develop new council homes
Residents began being relocated in March 2022(Image: GNP LTD)
Hull City Council has appointed a contractor to carry out the demolition of Henson Villas, with works expected to begin next week. All former residents have found new homes and the demolition is due to start soon, “to prevent the vacant site attracting anti-social behaviour”, the council said.
The buildings have been sitting vacant with the site’s future having been in doubt for a number of years. The properties were built in the 1950s, following the previous buildings on the site being heavily damaged during the Second World War.
The properties are named after a former Lord Mayor of Hull. Upon completion in the early 50s they were initially offered solely to single women.
The council said the buildings have become “increasingly unsuitable for modern housing needs”, were “financially unviable” to renovate and update to current housing standards and have experienced low levels of demand. All former residents have now been successfully rehoused, and to prevent the vacant site attracting anti-social behaviour, demolition works are expected to begin shortly.
In October 2021, the Council launched a consultation with residents of Henson Villas on the future of the site. During the consultation, most respondents supported the demolition and redevelopment of the flats.
In March 2022, Hull City Council’s Cabinet approved a programme of resident relocation and demolition. Once cleared, the site will be used to develop new Council homes.
The council said this is part of the Housing Growth Programme, which will see 840 new Council homes delivered across the city. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for Economic Renewal, Housing and Organisational Development, said: “The appointment of a contractor is an important step in progressing the demolition of Henson Villas following the relocation of all residents from the site.
“These buildings have been vacant for some time and have become increasingly costly for the Council to maintain and secure. Their demolition will remove a source of anti-social behaviour and improve the appearance of this prominent location adjacent to Pearson Park.
“The cleared site will provide an opportunity for future housing development and support the Council’s ongoing work to increase the supply of quality homes across Hull.” For more information on housing in Hull, visit the council’s housing web page.
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