THE Depute Provost is demanding answers from council officials in the wake of a damning court judgement on the local authority's attempts to bulldoze Clune Park.

Councillor David Wilson intends to quiz officials at a meeting in the Municipal Buildings next week after an update on the regeneration plan was included as an agenda item for discussion by councillors.

The Telegraph told revealed yesterday how Sheriff Derek Hamilton had delivered a withering judgement on how the council used 'flawed' and 'inadequate' structural reports to serve hundreds of demolition orders on property owners at the rundown Port Glasgow housing scheme.

Now Cllr Wilson — who chairs Inverclyde's planning board — is to press senior officials at a meeting of the education and communities committee on Tuesday, when a 'progress report' on the council's Clune Park Regeneration Plan will be presented.

Mr Wilson said: "My understanding is that the sheriff is not terribly impressed with our external technical specialists.

"Clune Park is an agenda item and I will be asking questions."

But Councillor Wilson also hinted that an agreement between the local authority and property owners and landlords — who say they were offered 'derisory' sums of money for homes on the estate — could yet be reached.

The Depute Provost said: "The sheriff's judgement certainly stalls the demolition of Clune Park, but with all of these things there tends to be grey areas.

"I would like to see further negotiations with the landlords to see if we can find any common ground."

He added: "As a member of the Link Housing group I am particularly pleased that we are providing housing for owner occupiers in Lower Mary Street."

The committee report by John Arthur, the council's head of safer and inclusive communities, confirms that the local authority has lost a test case involving six Clune Park properties.

A further 213 cases are currently being held in abeyance with officials yet to make a decision on whether to spend more taxpayers' money on pursuing a legal route to demolition.

However, Sheriff Hamilton — who noted that the council based its case for razing Clune Park to the ground on the strength of 'walk round' surveys — said in his extensive 91-page judgement: "I would have grave concerns with any decision to serve demolition orders in respect of properties which had not been inspected."

Councillors will be asked next week to 'note current progress' in respect of Clune Park's regeneration plan and they are to also receive a future report on the 'outcome of legal consultations'.