Plans to knock down the city centre flats on both Erroll Street and Erroll Place have long been planned, but now the scheme has taken a significant step forwards.

Having been awarded the near £416,000 contract, Falkirk-based Central Demolition Ltd will demolish 52 flats affected by subsidence.

The issue had initially been identified by residents more than two decades ago and, as a result, two blocks were knocked down.

Subsidence in the properties just off King Street has occurred due to land under the foundations either sinking or collapsing, causing the walls to crack and ceilings to crumble.

Now condemned by Aberdeen City Council, all of the existing properties in the area will be demolished, The Press and Journal reports.

Once the former residential buildings have been levelled, the demolition company will start top-soiling and grass-seeding the site.

The news comes after plans had been brought forward at the end of last year to convert the land from a residential space into one of community value.

Under the proposals, a number of trees would be preserved and protected from the demolition work.

It is hoped that the sinking homes site will gain a new lease of life through the community-orientated project.