DEMOLITION of a former block of sheltered flats for the elderly in The Ridgway looks set to commence imminently, with the erecting of fencing around the site this week.

The last residents of Langham Court were “relocated” by owners Mount Green Housing Association in July 2012 and planning permission was granted in 2013 to replace the building with 18 new homes.

However, the block of flats has remained derelict since then with little activity on the site prior to the arrival of Portsmouth Demolition and signs warning “Danger demolition in progress” this week.

Mount Green, which acquired the building in 2010, plans to redevelop the site to provide six, four bedroom homes, six three bedroom, four two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats.

Just over a third of these will provide affordable housing with a mix of rental and shared ownership properties.