EMBATTLED council chiefs are today facing the prospect of fighting nearly 300 court cases over their controversial plans to flatten Clune Park, the Telegraph can reveal.

Greenock court staff have been swamped with appeals against demolition orders served by the local authority on property owners at the private Port Glasgow estate.

Now a raft of legal cases are set to call before a sheriff as arguments rage over the council’s case for razing buildings to the ground as part of a proposed £2.6 million regeneration project.

One Clune Park property owner today told the Telegraph: “A clear message has been sent to the council.

“We consider that the council’s case is weak and we have already notified them that we are ready and prepared to repair properties under the Housing (Scotland) Act.

“However, the local authority appears to be most unwilling to come and discuss matters with us.

“It is regrettable that things have had to come to this but we will not be backing down — and our advice is that we are in a strong position.” Municipal Buildings bosses have a structural report — provided by Greenock surveyor firm ATK — which they say confirms their view that the entire estate has been undermined by structural decay which is beyond repair.

But furious property owners — who have commissioned their own survey of the buildings — strongly disagree with the council’s position.

It is now anticipated that the two reports will play a key part in the upcoming legal proceedings.

Court officials confirmed to the Telegraph that they have received a total of 275 appeals against the council’s demolition notices.

It is anticipated that all of the official objections will be ‘served’ on the local authority over the coming days.

The Tele understands that the first council-versus-owners cases could be heard in the court on 24 September.

A council spokesman said today: “We are fully prepared to make a robust case to ensure that the appalling housing situation in the Clune Park area does not continue.

“We have yet to be formally served with any demolition order appeals, however we have expected them and are fully prepared to deal with them.

“Handling appeals and stating our defence is the next anticipated stage in the legal process.” The spokesman added: “We have served the formal demolition notices to finally address the intolerable housing position in the area resulting from many long years of underinvestment and lack of maintenance.”