Private landlords are not behind revamp of run down area

Private landlords in a part of Glasgow have surprised council leaders by not supporting a redevelopment plan for the area. Clune Park has suffered for some time from poor housing and poverty and it had been hoped that the owners of the properties would back the plan.

The regeneration plan would see over four-hundred homes demolished and rebuilt. However, flattening the properties and rebuilding would cost in excess of £15 million. A meeting was recently held with around twenty-five private landlords representing their interests as the owners of the majority of the vacant and tenanted properties. Although the great majority of the landlords revealed they had landlord insurance on the buildings, they were still worried they would lose out financially if the plans go ahead. Inverclyde Council officials and Ward 1 councillors also attended the meeting where all options to move the plans forward were revealed by the council.

A council spokesman said: “A full explanation of the strategy as set out in the regeneration plan was given and private landlords had the opportunity to question the officers and members on a wide range of topics arising out of the presentation on the plan. The majority of the landlords appeared to be very unsupportive of the plan, some of which are proposing to renovate their flats and suggest they would present renovation proposals to the council. It was agreed that private landlords would be kept apprised of progress as the plan is rolled out.”

A housing survey has been carried out showing both the occupied and unoccupied properties in the area. The council wants to identify whole blocks that can be issued with closing orders and demolished under housing legislation. Discussions have also been held with a social landlord whom the council would like to rehouse any tenant who needs to be moved out. The council has already committed £500,000 to the regeneration of the area.