THE demolition of a large housing estate in Port Glasgow has been delayed while a deal is struck with just two homeowners.

Most residents who had been living in Port Glasgow's Kelburn have already been rehoused by River Clyde Homes, as they were tenants.

Greenock Telegraph:

But the bulldozers cannot be sent in until an agremeent is reached over the last properties, which are privately-owned.

The estate's future was raised by late councillor Jim MacLeod last January, when he urged River Clyde Homes to be transparent with residents over their plans for the neighbourhood.

Greenock Telegraph:

A tenant survey three years ago had indicated that residents would prefer to live elsewhere.

The housing association later confirmed it would raze the estate, but it's still unclear now when the work will begin.

Greenock Telegraph:

A spokesman for River Clyde Homes told the Telegraph: “We are pleased to confirm we have successfully found alternative accommodation for the majority of the former tenants of Kelburn Terrace.

"However, we are unable to commence demolition as we are still in dialogue with two private property owners, with whom we hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible."

Greenock Telegraph:

Councillor David Wilson says he is disappointed at the decline of the estate, which was previously revamped at a cost of millions.

He said: "I don't think Kelburn should be demolished.

"I chaired Kelburn Action Group for five years and myself and councillors McCabe and MacLeod worked closely with the group.

"It was on the up, if it hadn't been we wouldn't have spent money on it.

"We started to get gas heating in, we got a new playpark for the the kids and worked alongside RCH, the wardens service and police and got rid of the anti-social behaviour.

"We had good family homes there in a really good location."

Greenock Telegraph:

But Cllr Wilson admits that standards slipped in recent years following the action group's collapse and some activists passing away.

He said: "If you let something go, you lose it. I am disappointed by how it has worked out."

Port councillor Chris Curley is on the board of RCH and hopes that clearance work can begin soon.

He said: "The board has made a decision to demolish Kelburn Terrace.

"The tenants of RCH were given priority and the majority have been rehomed.

"There are two tenants and two owners left on the estate.

"Once an agreement has been made with homeowners, the demolition will start."

Once cleared, the land is expected to be used as part of an 'Eastern Gateway' development plan to regenerate lower Port Glasgow.

Councillor Curley said: "I am not in favour of building 'yuppie flats'.

"I think a long-term solution for the area is the enlargement of Kelburn Industrial Estate adjacent to it, to create small industrial units and bring jobs into the area, where people can start up small businesses."