Trevor Bowen Court will be demolished to make way for accommodation suitable for modern social housing if Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) follows the recommendations put forward by consultants.

Speaking at Monday's Town Council meeting (14th February) Dave Morris, director of housing and communities at MHA, told councillors that the sole solution would be to demolish the existing building and rebuild on the site.

Options such as modernising the existing buildings would only be a short term fix at best and be like "throwing good money after bad," he said.

The new build development approach was far better, he explained, than a remodelling proposal which is not a "viable option".

Councillors heard about the demographic time bomb that will see a doubling of the 80-plus age group between 2014 and 2029.

The building is 50 years old and was built in an era when sheltered housing was seen as the new way of addressing the accommodation of elderly people.

The complex is made up of 45 bedsits and 10 flats.

Many of the bedsits have shared bathroom facilities and are quite small units, he told members.

"There are 22 empty properties, 40 per cent of total stock. 10 of those properties have been empty for two years and there is no current waiting list," he added.

"Demand for sheltered housing is changing with a change in aspirations as expectations are greater in seeking quality accommodation."

For full story see Beacon 16/02/2011.