A CLUNE Park resident claims council chiefs are using ‘scare’ tactics to get residents out so they can press ahead with demolishing the estate.

Municipal Buildings officials — who are actively offering re-homing advice despite a current legal block to their controversial £2.6m clearance and regeneration plans — are now the subject of a formal complaint from a tenant at the Port scheme.

The Tele told yesterday how officials have already been accused by property owners of having ‘complete contempt for the due process of law’ by forging ahead with regeneration plans while over 270 legal challenges are pending.

This is a claim that the council rejects, saying that there is ‘absolutely no requirement for tenants to move out of their properties immediately nor is there an imminent deadline for them to register with a housing association’.

But one of the residents who received a letter outlining rehoming advice, John May, inset, says that he has been left ‘scared and shocked’ by the authority’s conduct.

Tenant Mr May has told the authority: “My complaint is pretty much that the letters are...premature by design in order to cause fear and alarm amongst tenants within this estate.” He also states: “The council was perfectly aware that demolition orders were under appeal.

“I’ve received information that I will get 100 points if the demolition order becomes operational.

“I hope it does, as 100 points will get me and every other tenant from this estate to the top of every housing list in every area of Inverclyde, including Kilmacolm.” Mr May predicts that action taken by the council could ‘backfire’, stating: “I’m going to tell all my friends and family that if they want a 100 points bonanza from the housing associations they should take a tenancy in the Clune Park estate.” The first cases against the council’s moves to demolish Clune Park are due to reach court next month.

The council today confirmed it had received Mr May’s complaint.

It said that it is now ‘obligated’ to offer housing advice to people affected by the demolition orders.

A spokesman added: “The council is committed to addressing the appalling conditions in Clune Park and through its action plan will give affected residents access to modern, comfortable and affordable housing in the local area.”