DRONES are being used to survey several Inverclyde high-rise blocks where mould and dampness was discovered — after more than £1 million was spent on improvements.

River Clyde Homes are flying aerial cameras at the buildings after receiving complaints about flats including Eastern View in Gourock and Regent, Rankin and Ravenscraig courts, all in Greenock.

Residents are worried about the discolouration on the outside of the blocks and some say there is water coming through the cladding.

It comes despite RCH spending several hundred thousands of pounds on each of the high-rise buildings just a few years ago.

Housing association bosses say five blocks are affected and that drones are being deployed to determine at the extent of the problems.

Homeowners Ellen and Robert Wilson, pictured, who have stayed in their Eastern View apartment for 16 years, are furious at the situation.

Ellen said: “We had to pay thousands of pounds to get the building done — about £10,000 — and it’s not been done right.

“The front of the building does face the river but whatever they have put on the building is not correct and it’s up to the people who put it on to fix it, not us.

“River Clyde Homes told us at the last tenants’ and residents’ meeting we would have to pay for it but why should we?

“It’s not been done properly.”

Robert added: “They’re always sending us letters about something we have to pay for — constantly.

“We just want to live in our flat peacefully.

“We don’t mind paying for things to be done but they should be done properly.

“We’re sick of it.

“We try to keep the building as nice as we can.”

Drones were flown at Rankin Court on Wednesday and were also due at Eastern View yesterday.

Planning applications for work on Eastern View, Ravenscraig, Regent and Rankin courts were all granted between 2008 and 2009.

The cost for the Gourock block alone was estimated at £800,000 and in excess of £375,000 for Rankin Court, although both projects also included insulation and improvements to windows, roofs and the ground floors.

Officials at RCH today reassured tenants, especially those who own their flats, that they will not have to pay any extra as the work is covered by warranty.

Graham McDowall, technical services manager, said: “We have hand delivered notices informing residents of the fact that we will be using drone survey technology at each of the five affected tower blocks to help diagnose the problems these buildings have been experiencing with water ingress.

“Remedial repairs to the roof at Rankin Court are already underway.
“The various companies who carried out the original works for us are all still in business.

“Any required works as identified by the drone surveys and associated to the original contracts shall be carried out with no charge to homeowners, although they will continue to be liable for a share of costs for routine and emergency repairs.

“The green mould/algae on the render of the buildings is more an aesthetic problem than an indication of dampness and occurs particularly on north facing buildings.

“It is prevalent on Eastern View due to its geographic location.”