THE demolition of a former sheltered housing block in Lawford has started.

Tendring Council moved residents out of the main block of Honeycroft, in Waldegrave Way, back in October 2017.

It then took a decision to close the out-dated facility permanently in 2018.

Despite the building being closed and having no residents, it was costing the council more than £84,000 a year in maintenance and other charges.

Contractors SRC Group began the strip out of the building in December and work has now started this week on the final demolition.

Demolition work is due to be completed by mid-March and the council is now drawing up proposals for the site’s future.

Carlo Guglielmi, Tendring Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and corporate governance, said a new future was on the horizon for the site.

“As demolition gets underway we’re writing the final chapter of Honeycroft,” he said.

“During its existence it did serve several hundreds of very happy residents really well, since it opened its doors in the late 60s.

“But the type of accommodation offered here became quite outdated against the current options in sheltered housing

“Once the site is cleared we can look at what we do next with the site.”

The council said that and work is being carried out “sensitively” to minimise disruption to elderly neighbours.