Empty tower blocks will be knocked down after being left to decay for more than a decade.

The dilapidated blocks in Townhill Park have remained untouched since 2011.

But 14 years since the council-led regeneration project was launched, work is finally getting underway.

Three blocks at Rowlands Walk (Plot 9) and two blocks at Benhams Road (Plot 5) will soon be demolished to make way for new homes.

Rowlands Walk in Townhill Park Rowlands Walk in Townhill Park (Image: Newsquest)

Hoardings have been installed to secure the site and security measures are in place.

The interior of the buildings, known as 'the soft strip', is being dismantled.

Hampshire Environmental Services Ltd has been appointed as the contractors by Southampton City Council.

The demolition has been funded by the Brownfield Land Release Fund.

The regeneration of Townhill Park will replace old council housing stock with over six hundred brand new, energy efficient council homes.

READ MORE: Townhill Park sites set to be transformed into affordable housing

But only 56 of these homes – built in Roundhill Close in 2019 - have so far been delivered, with another 273 currently being designed and further plots to come forward.

The council is also reviewing the decommissioning of flat blocks in Meggeson Avenue.

These include Plot 12 (254-274) and Plot 13 (289-309, 311-331).

It is “not possible” to provide a timetabled programme for the decommissioning of these blocks at this stage.

A spokesperson from the council said: “The regeneration is about more than new homes, it is about creating a better neighbourhood and environment for communities to thrive in.

“To date, we have also delivered £3.75million worth of neighbourhood improvements across Townhill Park including traffic-calming measures and a new green space in the heart of the community, Townhill Green.”

Last year, Drew Smith - now Countryside Partnerships - announced it would not be involved in building some 250 homes across three plots at Townhill Park.

This caused yet another setback to the plans.

Since Drew Smith pulled the plug, interest in the affected sites – plots two, nine, and 10 – has been expressed to the council.

The spokesperson added: “The expression of interest for Plot 2 (which has a boundary of Meggeson Avenue, Townhill Way, Paulet Close and Cutbush Lane) and Plot 9 (Rowlands Walk), has been issued to our registered provider partners as part of the Affordable Homes Framework.”