New kitchens and bathrooms for residents of Leeds tower blocks blighted by drugs

Coun Debra Coupar, executive member for communities, said: “The work to reduce anti-social behaviour in council blocks forms part of a much wider strategy when it comes to improving some of the council’s housing blocks for the future.

“We know from past success that these blocks can become really positive places for residents to live if the right changes are made and we are in the process of conducting a city-wide review of how things currently work.

“We are undertaking a significant refurbishment programme at Clyde Grange and Clyde Court which will target some of the issues that residents have highlighted to us, supporting our tenants in these blocks. “This work, which includes the planned replacement of bathrooms and kitchens and the introduction of a biomass heating system, is continuing to move forward positively.”

Superintendent Sam Millar, who heads the Safer Leeds partnership said the closure orders would improve lives for tenants. She added: “We simply cannot accept behaviour that blights the lives of others, and this latest action should serve as a clear warning that we will continue to make full use of all available legislation and tactics to target those who continue to make other peoples’ lives a misery.”