A FORMER sheltered housing complex will be demolished under council plans.

The borough wants to knock down George Gay Gardens, Park South, and replace it with council houses. It forms part of plans for the regeneration of Queen’s Drive.

Residents at the sheltered housing block burst into tears in 2016 when they were told they had to move out. Lucy Birch, then 73, said: “It is upsetting, but there is nothing you can do about it.”

The block currently stands empty, with the council hoping to demolish it.

Plans were submitted by contractors Willmott Dixon on behalf of the council to knock down the 48 flats. Willmott Dixon say they will use a large excavator digger to demolish the buildings.

Parish councillors noted the plans, but said they hoped new buildings would emerge on the site relatively quickly.

Nick Burns-Howell told South Swindon Parish Council’s planning committee: “We don’t want another building demolished, hoardings put up and then five years later the sign of progress is that a new set of hoardings are put up.”

No planning application has been submitted for the new homes.

Borough planners have until July 5 to make a decision on the demolition proposals.

In an email to South Swindon Parish Council, borough planning officer Rachael Adams said: “I understand that an application may be forthcoming in the future for the redevelopment of this site by the council but we have yet to have sight of this.”