Demolition work gathers pace on ageing Dedworth tower blocks

Demolition work is continuing on ageing tower blocks in Dedworth as part of a regeneration project which will deliver hundreds of affordable homes.

Housing association Abri’s regeneration of Sawyers Close will see the area’s four ageing apartment blocks knocked down and replaced with 413 homes.

The project, known as The Granges, will provide affordable housing for existing Dedworth residents, including 199 social-rented properties.

Social-rented housing typically costs 50 per cent of the market rate and is calculated by a formula tied to local incomes.

The regeneration project has been funded with £176million from Abri, including £34.4million awarded from Homes England.

Windsor and Maidenhead council gave the green light for the scheme in December 2023.

Additional land was transferred to Abri from the council which increased the scale of the proposed site, allowing more homes to be built.

Work on the project got underway in August last year.

It is estimated The Granges redevelopment will be completed by 2032 with almost all current residents expected to be moved into their new homes within the next three years.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the second phase of the development in November, Liberal Democrat councillors Adam Bermange and Catherine del Campo said: “This project represents a transformative moment for Dedworth, delivering high-quality affordable, sustainable homes, including 199 social-rented, that will benefit both current residents and future generations.”