DEMOLITION work will start on the remaining blocks of the old Billybanks estate next month.

Penarth Heights developer Crest Nicholson has confirmed it will begin demolishing the Highview Road/Chichester Road end of the site in April, once the buildings have been stripped. Tim Beale, Crest Nicholson managing director, said: “We are pleased to confirm that the second phase of demolition is to commence, which will lead to the removal of the remaining derelict Billybanks blocks.

"Every effort will be made to ensure the demolition is undertaken in a manner that minimises disruption to the local community.

"It will create the opportunity to replace the Billybanks with a high quality range of new homes as part of the second phase of the Penarth Heights development.”

Crest Nicholson will be hosting a drop-in session at the Penarth Heights show home on Paget Road, prior to the start of the demolition work, when members of the public can ask questions about the process.

Details of the meeting will be circulated to local residents shortly.

Local ward councillor Paul Church, who is also Cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “I am delighted to see this site re-developed. The Billybanks were a blot on the landscape but we now have a prestigious site of varied housing.”

Fellow ward member Cllr Sophie Williams said: “The demolition of the final buildings will be a huge relief to many residents, given the derelict buildings have been an adventure playground for trouble makers and there have been numerous fires started on the site.

“This stage in the development has been a difficult milestone to reach, with many obstacles along the way, but how fantastic it is for the future of the area that we are finally here.

“I hope everything will be done during the process of demolition to ensure neighbouring properties and their residents are protected.”

Vale Council leader, Cllr Gordon Kemp, said: "I am delighted Crest Nicholson will be starting demolition of the Highview Road/Chichester Road blocks, which are much vandalised and a terrible eyesore.

"Combined with the recent completion of the council’s neighbouring Central Renewal Area, the delivery of Penarth Heights is helping to comprehensively regenerate north Penarth.”

A PENARTH man claims that boulders intended to prevent cars and trespassers entering the derelict estate stopped emergency services accessing the site to deal with a recent arson attack.

According to Plassey Square resident Alan Guppy, when a number of fire engines arrived to extinguish a blaze on February 29, they were left waiting for almost two hours, until the boulders could be moved and they could get the engines near enough to properly deal with the problem.

“It’s of great concern for us as nearby residents," he said.

“The estate is a haven for arson attacks and in the event of particularly strong winds, we are susceptible to the flames blowing our way. We cannot be waiting two hours for it to be dealt with.”

Tony Jaques, head of public housing services at the Vale Council, said arrangements have now been made to give easier access for emergency services.

"Despite the council's best efforts to secure the site, through two-metre high railings encapsulating the empty flats, and blocking the access road to prevent vehicular access, people are still acting like idiots in gaining entry,” he said.

"The blocks are highly unstable due to arson attacks over the years and there is a real danger of death to anyone entering. This idiotic action is also putting emergency services lives at risk.

"The developer has now placed hoardings around the site and arrangements have been made for easier access for the emergency services if required."