Four blocks of council flats could be demolished after they were found to have "major defects" – but a local authority is remaining tight-lipped about where they are.

Dartford council is considering moving tenants out of the properties which are suffering from "significant structural issues".

The blocks are in Swanscombe but their precise address is being kept under wraps.

It comes after an independent inspection of the 16 flats, commissioned last year, confirmed a catalogue of problems.

Findings included damp in the rafters, joists and inside the building; movement and cracking in the ceilings and windows; and faulty foundations caused by soft clay.

A report, to be considered by the Cabinet Advisory Panel B on Monday (September 18), says: "Blocks one and two have suffered with a number of major defects over recent years and efforts to carry out remedial works have not been successful, due to ongoing structural issues.

"Blocks three and four, although less structurally unsound currently, are still in poor condition and are very likely to have the same significant structural issues as blocks one and two in the future."

Seven people are living in the flats. Nine are empty.

“The engineer’s report concluded that, given the defects and damage, it may be cost advantageous to demolish the buildings...”

The tenants would be rehoused and entitled to compensation of £7,800 each - a total cost of £54,600.

The advisory panel papers add: “The engineer’s report concluded that, given the defects and damage, it may be cost advantageous to demolish the buildings, rather than repair buildings that have reached the end of their design lives.

“Further consideration will be given to options regarding the repair or demolition of the blocks and a further report will be presented to Cabinet for discussion in due course.

“Notwithstanding the above, it is deemed advisable to decant and rehouse tenants now to ensure that there is no risk to tenants in occupation and to improve their quality of life.”

The structural problems are not related to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) which has seen the closure of other buildings, including Dartford's Orchard Theatre.

A council spokesman said: “The location of these flats will be announced when appropriate, however, we can confirm that this is definitely not related to RAAC and that everyone affected is being supported by the council."

Labour councillor for Swanscombe, Claire Pearce, says there are questions to be asked of the local authority.

“The location of these flats will be announced when appropriate...”

She said: “There has been a history of subsidence in buildings across Swanscombe, so we believe that questions urgently need to be asked why the Conservatives declined to take out insurance cover for this across its housing stock.

“Swanscombe sits on a layer of chalk and soft clay with underground springs. We also have a very high level of leaks from underground water pipes. In conditions like this it’s imperative to make sure that both housing stock and tenants are safe and secure - and without insurance being put in place for subsidence this simply hasn’t happened.

“The financial implications of this blinkered attitude will be approx £68k, but the future implications for the residents concerned are far worse.

“Through no fault of their own, the tenants of these blocks are facing the loss of their homes and the possibility of being moved out of the community.

“It shouldn’t have been left to get to this stage.”