Former residents of a tower block in Windsor, Berkshire, joined local councillors to watch as the building’s floor-by-floor demolition got underway.
Winwood, located at Sawyers Close, is one of three tower blocks built in the 1960s – Broadleys, Grasmere, and Hale – that are being demolished to make way for the area’s redevelopment.
The tower blocks, which comprise192 flats, are no longer fit for purpose. Housing provider Abri is replacing them with 413 brand new, high quality and sustainable affordable homes to serve the local community in Dedworth, Windsor.
Former residents watched as The Hill Group, Abri’s construction partner on The Granges redevelopment, continued to bring down the tower block. The block is being crunched down floor by floor by an ‘Ultra High Reach Demolition Excavator’ and is expected to take two to three weeks.
According to Abri, residents will be supported to move out of their homes in the other three remaining towers blocks when they come down between 2027 and 2030. Existing residents have had the choice to either move into the other tower blocks or be found homes elsewhere locally as their homes are emptied and demolished.
Nikola Crnojevic, who lived at Winwood for 15 years, said: “I can see The Granges redevelopment being built day by day. Seeing my old home at Winwood being demolished is emotional as I have many fond memories of living there, but I am looking forward to moving into my brand new property at The Granges when it is ready.”
Alison Carpenter, councillor for Clewer and Dedworth East Ward, added: “Watching the first of these old tower blocks coming down makes it real that residents are leaving behind old worn-out properties and can look forward to moving into brand new quality homes.
“With 413 affordable homes being built, these properties will also help meet the wider housing needs amongst the local community.”
The regeneration has been made possible by £176m funding from Abri, including £34.4m awarded from Homes England. The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead planning approval for the development, along with additional land transferred to Abri from the council, increased the scale of the proposed site – both allowing more homes to be built and enabled construction to start before the need to demolish the current buildings.
The first 182 homes are now well underway, with the first being delivered in early 2027.
Dasos Christou, regional managing director (South East), Abri, said: “These four tower blocks are over 60 years old and whilst they have been great homes for our residents, their age is really starting to show. Abri is replacing them with its largest ever regeneration, The Granges, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to providing safe, warm and affordable homes.”
Martyn Lane, project manager at The Hill Group, added: “The demolition of these tower blocks marks a significant step forward in transforming Sawyers Close, making way for high-quality, sustainable homes that will better serve the community for generations to come. Together with our partners, we look forward to seeing our shared vision for The Granges come to life and creating a place residents are proud to call home.”
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