Council leader's cash appeal for town
Eric Baxter • Published 18 Feb 2012 11:00
2 Comments
A TROUBLED area of Port Glasgow faces 'a slow and lingering death' if the Scottish Government does not step in, a council boss has claimed.
The leader of Inverclyde Council, Stephen McCabe, says he is determined not to fail the Clune Park area, where many houses are in poor condition.
But he also challenged the government to make vital funding available for the neighbourhood.
Mr McCabe, below, said: "As part of the Labour-led administration's budget, I was able to announce a further £1 million of funding for the Clune Park area, bringing the council's total funding commitment to nearly £1.9m.
"For too long the scale of the financial challenge of tackling the atrocious housing conditions in Clune Park has paralysed public agencies.
"I only hope that the council's ambitions for Clune Park are matched by the Scottish Government, for without their financial support to provide new housing for residents outwith the area, Clune Park is destined to face a slow and lingering death.
"We cannot allow this to happen."
Mr McCabe said that uncertainty over housing cash for Clune Park was also affecting other places in the town, such as Woodhall, and he accused ministers of not giving them enough priority.
He said: "I would very much question whether the Scottish Government has got its capital spending priorities right.
"Giving people decent homes to live in would come before building yet another bridge across the River Forth in my book."
But today the Scottish Government hit back at Mr McCabe and defended its spending on housing.
A spokesman said: "The Finance Secretary announced an £87m funding package to increase the supply of affordable homes across Scotland. That was greeted as good news for our economy and communities, including Inverclyde.
"It takes us well past the £610m target that Shelter Scotland and the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland have suggested would be needed to keep on track towards our commitment to build 30,000 affordable homes."
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 18 Feb 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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gran61
63 posts
Feb 18, 11:31
Report commentThe best thing to do is flatten the area and start again.
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jrfinn
2 posts
Mar 1, 13:07
Report commentWhy not encourage private landlords to buy and refurbish these properties. This would be easily achievable, and a cheaper option then demolishing the area.
Recommend? Yes 2
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