Homes found to be sinking into the ground in Aberdeen will finally be demolished, with the council now issuing a contract worth more than £400,000 for the work.
Plans to tear down city centre flats on both Erroll Street and Erroll Place have long been in the works, but now the scheme has taken a significant step forwards.
Having been awarded the near £416,000 contract, Falkirk-based Central Demolition Ltd will tear down 52 flats affected by subsidence.
The issue had initially been identified by residents more than two decades ago and, as a result, two blocks were knocked down.
Subsidence in the properties just off King Street has occurred due to land under the foundations either sinking or collapsing, causing walls to crack and ceilings to crumble.
Now condemned by the council, all of the existing properties in the area will be demolished.
And, once the former residential buildings have been levelled, the demolition company will start top-soiling and grass seeding the site.
It comes after plans had been mooted at the end of last year to turn the land from a residential space into one of community value.
Under the proposals, a number of trees would be preserved and protected from the demolition work.
It is hoped that the sinking homes will hopefully gain a new lease of life through this community orientated project.
Dozens of affected residents in the 13 blocks of flats were moved elsewhere in 2019.
There were 48 council properties on the site and four in private ownership.
One Erroll Place resident, who did not want to be named, said she was “pleased” by the decision at the time.
She added: “This has been going on for years so I’m glad it’s decided.”