Work begins to demolish Amesbury novichok house

Two flats on Muggleton Road are being knocked down.

Mr Rowley's home in Amesbury where Dawn Sturgess fell ill
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 26th Oct 2020

The housing association, Stonewater, has confirmed that they're starting work today (Monday 26th October) to demolish flats 9 and 11 on Muggleton Road in Amesbury.

One of those flats was let by Charlie Rowley, who was poisoned by the nerve agent novichok there in June 2018.

Charlie's girlfriend, Dawn Sturgess, was also poisoned and passed away at Salisbury District Hospital just over a week later.

Mr Rowley survived and now lives elsewhere.

44 year old Dawn died from novichok poisoning, while her partner Charlie Rowley became seriously ill

Stonewater has been working with Wiltshire Council to arrange for the demolition work.

The flats were officially decontaminated in June this year, with the housing association consulting with local residents on what should happen next.

Stonewater's told Greatest Hits Radio what they're planning:

"The cleared area will be landscaped, creating additional green space for the local community and we'll be providing two additional homes at an alternative development nearby to ensure that there is no loss of affordable housing in south Wiltshire."

A new green space will created in place of the flats being knocked down

The housing association's also said they're 'pleased to have come to this successful conclusion'.

They're reassured residents in the Kings Gate area of Amesbury that they'll 'be doing their absolute best to minimise disruption'.