One thing to note about the flats behind the Dolman is that BCC have just finished spending a lot of money on them doing up the exterior (not sure if anything`s been done inside or not) with new roofs, brick cladding, windows etc. If you look from the smoking area you can see it`s been done to a very high standard. I can`t see them being knocked down for 30+ years now if I`m honest.
The negative publicity for the council would be dreadful and I can`t see the scheme would have happened if there was any inkling that their might be a future deal with SL for a swap with Ashton Vale. You have to remember as well that a lot of the flats will be privately owned having been bought under right-to-buy and that also presents it`s own huge and costly problems.