I saw on one of the Hebburn Facebook groups a scan of a letter that was sent to residents of Durham Court. It said that the building materials used for the flats were only guaranteed for 50 years, so it was time for demolition. However, there was no deadline for the residents to move out and obviously demolition wouldn't start until everyone was gone.

I was trying to find the scans today but couldn't. I'll keep looking and post them if I do.