PORT Glasgow flats threatened with compulsory demolition are being auctioned in Birmingham and Glasgow.

They are part of the Clune Park estate, where Inverclyde Council wants to to knock down blocks they have deemed to be beyond repair.

Private landlords have blocked the bulldozers by arguing successfully in court that the buildings are structurally sound.

SDL Auctions, who have offices in England and Wales, are selling some of the flats in Birmingham on September 6.

Their head of residential auctions, Gurpreet Bassi, has branded the package a ‘rare opportunity to buy up to five flats in Port Glasgow for as little as £6,000 each’. 

The company claims there is ‘quite a lot of excitement in the Scottish market about these flats’ and insists they ‘would all make attractive investment opportunities’ — but there is no mention that council is determined to flatten them.

Meanwhile, five flats at 3 and 5 Clune Park Street are being auctioned in Glasgow on October 5 — for a total guide price of £38,000.

The agents, Prime Location, warn that no tests have been made of services, equipment or fittings and say the portfolio ‘requires full refurbishment prior to habitation, and boasts an anticipated combined rental of £18,600 per annum’.

Other Clune Park flats are being put up for sale by other agents despite the wrangle surrounding the estate.

Homes24.co.uk are suggesting a guide price of £4,000 for a one bedroom flat in Bruce Street

The agents describe it as a ‘traditional one bedroom within the popular Clune Park Estate’.

They add: “Port Glasgow is currently undergoing extensive waterfront development, and is a popular investment location with high yield potential. Clune Park is a popular commuter location.”

The same agents are also offering a Robert Street flat at a £5,000 guide price while another property in Bruce Street is being advertised online for £10,000.

Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan previously met with private landlords about the Clune Park estate.

Mr Cowan today declined to comment on that meeting, but encouraged anyone considering purchasing property in the estate to engage a reputable lawyer with experience in property law.

He said: “In this instance, I would expect such a lawyer would easily ascertain that Inverclyde Council plans to compulsory purchase these flats with the aim of demolishing the estate.

“It would then be up to any prospective purchaser to decide whether to proceed.”

A council spokesman says the sale or auction of private properties is a matter for individuals in ownership of those properties, and is not an issue of direct concern to the council.

He added: “The council’s position is that the long term regeneration of Clune Park can only be realised through the demolition of the existing properties, and that repair is likely to be too costly a solution to bring the estate back into habitable use.”