Council's £8m help bid over flats

Eric Baxter • Published 11 Mar 2010 14:00

SCOTTISH Housing Minister Alex Neil is to be asked for cash to help replace slum housing in Port Glasgow.

Around £8 million is needed for drastic improvements in the Clune Park area, above, where tenements are privately owned.

On its own, Inverclyde Council cannot afford to demolish the 45 four-storey tenements - many of them with empty flats - and replace them with 95 new properties.

Councillors and officials are to meet Mr Neil in Edinburgh on 18 March to plead their case for help.

Council leader Stephen McCabe, told the council's safe, sustainable communities committee: "The issues we face are of such a scale and challenge there has to be a partnership with the Scottish Government.

"We need action quickly. The conditions in this area are totally unacceptable."

Depute Provost David Wilson said Mr Neil was 'talking tough' last week when he visited similar housing at Govanhill in Glasgow.

He added: "I would expect him to have something for us."

Councillor Jim MacLeod said: "The problem is these are private houses."

Head of planning Fraser Williamson told the meeting the social and physical problems in the Clune Park area are well documented.

He said: "Without significant financial support from the Scottish Government, Inverclyde Council will be unable to make significant progress with the regeneration of Clune Park.

"The Clune Park Regeneration Task Group will continue to seek financial support and to ensure regeneration, which is a priority for Inverclyde Council."

Tweet

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 11 Mar 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @greenocktele