Gateshead Council is planning legal action to recover more than £411,000 spent on temporary accommodation and food for residents displaced by a devastating flood at Priory Court tower block. The incident, described as a "disaster" by a former tenant, left the building uninhabitable and forced the evacuation of 35 households.
Flooding and Evacuation
On June 6, 2025, a "waterfall"-like flood caused by subcontractors working on the building rendered Priory Court, off Hopper Street in Gateshead, uninhabitable. Residents were evacuated and later told they would never return to their flats. The council arranged temporary housing, including a hotel in Gateshead and Newcastle, and provided food for the affected households.
Costs and Legal Action
The total cost for temporary accommodation and food reached £411,355.93, according to a freedom of information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The council initially withheld the figures, citing commercial interests, but released them after the Information Commissioner's Office intervened. A Gateshead Council spokesperson confirmed: "The council is planning to take legal action to recover the costs incurred."
Former Tenant Reaction
Sheila Blatchford, 50, a former tenant of 10 years, called the incident "a disaster" and said it "should not have been allowed to happen." She praised the council's response: "They were doing the best they could under the situation." However, she questioned whether the spending was "value for money" but hoped the council would recoup the costs.
Ongoing Support and Future Plans
All 35 households have been rehoused, with 34 tenants placed by the council and one buying their own home. The council plans to appoint a development partner by the end of 2026 for the East Street Flats area, which includes Priory Court and two other tower blocks. A previous report found that required investment for the 120 flats could reach £26.8 million over 30 years, a cost deemed unsustainable, leading to the decommissioning approval in July 2024.
