DUDLEY'S housing boss had a final bird’s eye view from the top of a high-rise block in Netherton as demolition got underway.

Councillor Laura Taylor scaled the eight floors to reach the top of Manor Court in Netherton, which is being taken down along with neighbouring Wells Court.

She met with contractors on site to find out how they are working to ensure there is as little disruption as possible to neighbours.

The demolition follows that of neighbouring Arley Court and Compton Court where contractors used high reaching machinery to bring the high rise blocks to the ground.

Councillor Laura Taylor, Dudley's cabinet member for housing and community services, said: "I’m really pleased at the speed in which Arley and Compton Court were demolished and that we’re now able to progress to Wells and Manor.

"Due to the proximity of neighbours, Wells and Manor will be demolished in a different way to Arley and Compton. Contractors will demolish the building from within, taking one floor down at time.

"The demolition of all four blocks will be a significant milestone in this project, something we’ve worked towards for a number of years.

"We’re already in early discussions about the council re-developing the sites for new housing, which could include a new sheltered housing scheme on the site of Arley and Compton. We are still working through options for the Wells and Manor site which will create affordable housing for the area."

Following a survey of the council’s housing stock a few years ago the four blocks, which were built in the1960s, were deemed no longer fit for purpose and it was estimated it would cost millions of pounds to repair them and bring them up to modern-day standards.

The council decided to demolish the blocks and it is currently proposed to use the land to create new and affordable homes in the area.

Council bosses say they worked closely with residents and since October 2016 more than 180 tenants have moved to better housing.

Paul Davies, Dudley Council's director of housing and community services, said:

“We are pleased plans to redevelop the sites of the high rise blocks in Netherton are progressing well, and we have started local consultation on the new council homes that will be built on the sites.

"We will make sure this meets local housing needs and helps keep communities together.

"We will also start a major consultation exercise in the summer about how we can invest in our 21,000 homes over the long term so that homes stays up-to-date and meet changing needs.”