RESIDENTS living in three high rise flats run by social landlord Incommunities are being rehoused after dangerous gas pipes were found to pose a health and safety risk.

In total, 129 residents at three 50-year-old tower blocks at Crosley Wood, in Bingley, have been told they are to be moved.

Incommunities was not able to say whether the buildings will eventually be lived in again until the results of an appraisal are known.

A spokesman for Incommunities said: “Following rigorous and independent structural surveys of our tower blocks at Crosley Wood in Bingley, namely Brunswick, Adelaide and Peel House, Incommunities has taken the decision to rehouse all the remaining residents living there over the next twelve months.

“The survey work was carried out over the spring on our blocks and follows the national review of this type of housing in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy.

“The survey found that although the buildings are structurally sound the presence of a piped gas supply in the building does present a risk and needs to be removed.

“The cost and disruption of this makes the future of these buildings unviable given that demand for these properties is very low.

“These three tower blocks are the only ones of this construction type that we own and no other Incommunities’ blocks are affected in this way.”

The spokesman added Incommunities has been carrying out an options appraisal into the future of the three blocks due to their lack of demand. Out of the 189 flats available, 60 are empty and this has been an issue for a number of years.

He said the blocks have also had a high turnover of residents.

“We are visiting all our residents and hand delivering letters to explain this decision and the next steps. We have also set up a dedicated team of staff on site over the next few days, who will be meeting each resident to discuss their personal needs and working to ensure everyone is offered a continuing secure tenancy with us, if this is their choice. We are committed to supporting everyone through the process.

“All residents will also be offered an appropriate home loss and disturbance payment to compensate for the costs of moving home or re-location if the tenants choose to move to other areas. They will also be offered assistance in moving.”

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities group chief executive, said: “We fully appreciate that this is a very difficult time for some residents but the safety of our customers is paramount.

“We are also committed to keeping everyone fully in the picture. Our teams will work with all residents to listen closely to what they want and need from a new home and strive to meet their needs.

“We plan to move everyone over the next twelve months, however this will depend on the availability of properties and the individual preferences of residents.”

Incommunities said the results of the appraisal will be known later this year when a decision on the future of the buildings will be made.