You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Scottish council to demolish tower blocks after residents’ vote
A Scottish local authority is to demolish five tower blocks after a residents’ vote revealed two-thirds majority support for the plan.
North Ayrshire Council revealed it would destroy the buildings in the town of Irvine after 66% of households responding to a consultation were in favour of the proposal.
A rehousing strategy will see current residents of the blocks placed in “high-quality” homes on the site and elsewhere in the area. Of 275 properties across the five blocks, 215 responded to the poll with 2% of these not stating a preference.
READ MORE
Meanwhile, two residential blocks in nearby Saltcoats will be retained and given sprinkler systems. There 79 out of 94 households responded, with just 34% backing demolition and 1% not stating a preference.
Joe Cullinane, leader of the council, said: “From the outset, we have said we would listen to what the residents wanted and that is reflected in the proposals being put before us.
“A clear majority of tenants in Irvine want us to proceed with the demolition of the tower blocks, which will be replaced by high-quality, energy-efficient homes.
“In Saltcoats, it was evident that residents do not want us to replace the two tower blocks so we will now move ahead with proposals to upgrade the buildings.
“It is important that we engage with each and every resident to ensure that they are kept fully informed and that we can answer any questions they may have.”
Council representatives will meet tenants in Irvine’s five tower blocks to explain what happens next. The local authority said “particular care” would be taken to work with the 68 households against demolition.
Rehousing all tenants in Irvine could take up to two years, the council said, allowing demolition to go ahead and the building of new houses by 2023.
Consultation with tenants and owners in Saltcoats over the improvement proposals is expected to get under way later this year.
Inside Housing earlier this year met 80-year-old Irvine resident Anna Martin, who has lived in the demolition-threatened block for 47 years.
