THE £20 million scheme to refurbish four of Poole’s Old Town tower blocks has been approved by councillors.

At its last ever meeting on Tuesday, Poole council gave the final sign-off for the work, which will see the first major renovation of Drake Court, Grenville Court, Nelson Court and Rodney Court in 30 years.

Known as Project Admiral, the £20.25 million refurbishment programme will include the installation of sprinklers for the first time as a result of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London.

Most of the flats in the four blocks (215 out of 249) are owned by the council but managed on its behalf by Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) which will carry out the work.

Structural investigations in 2016 found that the council’s policy of ongoing ‘patch repairs’ at the 1960s blocks would no longer be feasible within five years, requiring the first major renovation since 1990.

Plans drawn-up by the council will see the blocks’ roofs replaced, their façades and balconies refitted as well as a range of electrical works.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet member for housing, said that the renovation would provide “attractive and safe housing for years to come”.

“This is a long-awaited refurbishment of our town centre blocks,” she said. “They look a little bit tired and we now need to make the fit-for-purpose.

“This work will do that for at least the next 30 years and, following the tragedy of Grenfell, there’s an opportunity to make fire safety improvements as well.”

Plans for the project have been put together by PHP in partnership with surveyors Arcus Consulting.