Demolition of housing estate used in TV show gets underway

Demolition of blocks in the Spon End area of Coventry has officially started, marking a key milestone in the regeneration of the area.

The three blocks were first built in the 1960s and have most recently been used as part of various BBC productions including This Town, My Name is Leon and Phoenix Rise.

Housing association Citizen is working with The Hill Group to demolish Kerry House, Milestone House and Trafalgar House in Spon End. Coventry City Council and Homes England are key partners supporting the delivery of the project.

To start with, works will take place inside the homes to remove all fixtures and fittings before the buildings are taken down.

This marks the first stage in a huge regeneration project which will see more than 750 homes built across three phases.

From left: Regional Managing Director at The Hill Group, Andy Fancy, Director of Regeneration at Citizen, Kevin Roach, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Coventry City Council, Councillor Naeem Akhtar.

In the first phase, 158 homes will be demolished, and, subject to planning permission, 261 affordable homes will be built in their place. Of these homes 209 will be social rent homes and 52 will be rent to buy homes which are initially let at an intermediate rent of 80% of the market rent and can be later purchased.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our region is brilliant at building houses but not always the kind that people can afford. We desperately need more social and affordable housing so that everyone in the region can have a safe, secure place to call home.

“Already I’ve provided funding for more social homes than we’ve ever funded before. But the scale of the challenge means we have to work together to build the homes we need.

“Spon End may be something of a TV star, but it’s no longer fit for purpose. It’s time to bring the curtain down on these old properties and replace them with new, high quality social homes.

“It’s only by taking these bold decisions, and working together, that we can deliver what the region needs – homes for everyone.”

Director of Regeneration at Citizen, Kevin Roach, added: “We’re pleased to see demolition work at Spon End underway in the first phase of our regeneration project.

“We’ve been working hard with our partners behind the scenes over the last few years on this regeneration project which will transform Spon End by providing more energy efficient affordable housing, increasing the area and quality of green open space and opening up the area of the River Sherbourne.

“This is a major project to regenerate the area over the next 10 years and we have worked with the community to ensure that their priorities and feedback has influenced our plans for the area.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the demolition progress over the next few months and to start on site in Spring 2026.”

Demolition works are due to be complete in early 2026, with plans to start building the new homes in Spring 2026. These homes, which will be one and two-bed flats, are due to be completed and handed over to customers late 2028.

Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, Councillor Jim O’Boyle, said: “This is a really important regeneration scheme and one that is going to provide a lot of social and environmental benefits to the area.

“I’ve visited the site and seen close-up the work underway to remove fittings and structures inside the buildings.

“You can also see how dated and tired the existing housing and infrastructure looks, and it’s great to know that they will be replaced modern, warm and energy efficient homes, more quality green space and all with the River Sherbourne as a key feature.

“It’s going to be a major improvement for the Spon End area and I’m looking forward to seeing work start to progress.”