HUNDREDS of people are to lose their homes after a housing company announced five of its high rise buildings are to be demolished due to concerns over their long term safety.

Anson House and Hudson House in Thornaby, near Stockton, and Jupiter House, Milford House and Portland House in Middlesbrough are to be knocked down, resulting in the loss of 346 homes.

Housing group Thirteen said that the five blocks are currently fully compliant with all relevant building and fire safety regulations.

However, chief executive Ian Wardle confirmed to The Northern Echo that “in time the buildings may become unsafe” and it would be “unsustainable” to carry out the work required to get them up to an appropriate standard.

Mr Wardle also said the review into the company’s 18 high rise buildings across the Tees Valley was “not directly linked” to the Grenfell Tower disaster, which claimed the lives of 72 people last year.

He added that any changes to building regulations which could be brought in following the outcome of the inquiry into the cause of the fire had not impacted the decision.

Last night, a resident living in one of the tower blocks said he was “disgusted” at having to leave his “safe and secure” home, which comes on the back of losing family members and a close friend, as well as health problems.

Once the buildings are demolished, around 100 new homes will be built in their place.

More than 350 residents will be moved over an 18 month to two year period. Mr Wardle said Thirteen have around 400 empty properties at present, so every affected family will be offered somewhere new to live.

Speaking to the Echo, Mr Wardle said: “The review was carried out into the continued investment of our high rise buildings. Some of them are very old – we are talking 30, 40, 50 years.

“We are always looking at building regulations and unfortunately five of them need millions of pounds of investment, so it is not sustainable.”

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I am totally and utterly disgusted – I have health problems and I work in Thornaby full time and I am just getting over losing members of my family and a close friend.

“Now I have to go through the motions of up heaving my goods and finding somewhere else that I feel safe and secure.

“I have just finished decorating and carpeting all of the flat as well.”

Mr Wardle said the “business case” was stronger for demolishing the buildings rather than carrying out the work, which he said included the rewiring of electrics and general refurbishment.

“The review was decided upon well in advance and was planned for some time. It is not directly linked (to Grenfell), it is about investment needed," he said.

“We take building regulations very seriously. In time the buildings may become unsafe, but we would never allow that to happen – we are a responsible landlord.”

Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough MP, said: “My major concern is that any plans to demolish tower blocks are done in consultation with residents and I am pleased to see that Thirteen are planning to engage in some detail with local people.

“My hope is that the housing provided to residents will be better quality accommodation than that in which they currently live.”

Mr Wardle added: “This news for residents will come as a shock to those living in these flats and can assure them that it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

“We will work with every resident individually to discuss their needs, where they want to move to and the financial compensation* and practical help available to them.”

Last year, former carer Teresa Bolam was killed in a fire in her top floor flat at Anson House.

She is believed to have been using tea light candles to light her flat because she was struggling to top up her electricity meter.