The demolition and redevelopment of four derelict blocks of flats in the middle of Keynsham will “create something truly special,” the housing association which owns them has said.

Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council has granted housing association Curo planning permission to demolish the Tintagel Close flats in Keynsham and build 45 new homes in their place.

The “dominant” flats stand overlooking Kelston Road Park, but everyone who lived there has been rehoused due to the “degrading condition” of the 1960s buildings.

Sarah Maylor, director of development at Curo, said: “This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the whole neighbourhood.

“We’ve worked closely with local people, the council, and our partners to shape something that really reflects what the community wants and needs. Our new scheme will be greener, better connected, and built to a much higher standard than the old block.”

Tintagel Close contains 44 three-bedroom maisonettes which were social housing. The 45 new homes will be a mix of 22 one-to-two-bedroom flats, ten three-bedroom houses, and three four-bedroom houses. All 45 new homes will be affordable homes, with 34 available for social rent through B&NES Council’s letting service Homesearch and 11 as shared ownership.

The vacant flats had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. The council’s report said: “The application also provides a significant opportunity to not only provide a better standard of affordable housing but to also significantly improve the immediate areas around the site and public open space. The redevelopment would enable an improvement in the use of the site by the public and would deter the current anti-social behaviour.”

The plans have been consulted on and discussed over three years. The proposal had the support of Keynsham Town Council and only received a single objection.