HUNDREDS of high flat residents in Inverclyde face being moved out of their homes for weeks because of a £4m heating project.

Eastern View in Gourock is set to become the first block to be upgraded but residents say they are furious at the lack of consultation, and notice, from landlords River Clyde Homes, who sprung the news on them a few days ago.

Tenants and owner occupiers alike have been told they will be decanted — along with their furniture and clothes — for anywhere between a week and a fortnight while work is carried out.

New heating systems are also to be installed at Royal Court and Kilblain Court in Greenock as part of the project.

But residents at Eastern View Gourock say they are completely in the dark about where they will live during the work, which is due to begin in less than four weeks.

They are worried about the welfare and safety of the many elderly and disabled tenants who live in the 87-flat block.

Hamish McLeod, secretary of the Eastern View Tenants’ and Residents’ Organisation, said: “We don’t know where we will be decanted to.

“They said it would be for twelve days minimum.

“People here in the main are elderly and some are housebound and they don’t know where they are going.

“There’s been absolutely no communication at all.”

Residents say a new heating system is long overdue but they are concerned about the amount of disruption on the horizon for the 100-plus people who stay in the buiding.

Henry Juszczak, who lives with wife Joyce, said: “This is supposed to kick off in four weeks but they can’t tell us where we’re going to live.

“They said it would take maybe a week to 10 days but we’re not daft, it will probably last for at least two weeks.”

The project will also include the removal of asbestos from behind current boilers.

Carpets and flooring will have to be ripped up and walls pulled apart for the old system to be taken out and the new one installed.

Residents say they are worried about the damage that is likely to cause. 

Homeowners Ellen and Robert Wilson, who have stayed in their Eastern View apartment for 16 years, also say they have no idea how much the project is going to cost them.

Mrs Wilson said: “River Clyde Homes treat tenants appallingly and treat owners even more appallingly.”

Stevie McLachlan, head of customer services at the housing association, said: “We met with the Eastern View tenants and residents association on Monday and there was overwhelming support for our proposals to install a new heating system. 

“The installation will entail all residents being moved to other suitable properties in phases for the seven to 10 days duration of the works. 

“We understand the diverse needs of the Eastern View community and are working with the Health & Social Care Partnership to assess each individual’s needs. 

“We also understand the inconvenience this will cause and we will do all we can to minimise disruption.”

“River Clyde Homes is leading on communications and once each customer assessment is completed, we will meet with each customer on a one-to-one basis. We will be issuing a handbook explaining more about the works early next week.

"It is our intention to start preparatory works within the next four weeks, but these will not involve anyone having to leave their home.

“The other two blocks to receive investment will be assessed over the next couple of weeks and we will liaise with customers accordingly.”