Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Views wanted on high-rise axe bid
Information packs hand-delivered to residents
Residents in the 18 Monk lands tower blocks earmarked for the first phase of North Lanarkshire’s proposed high- rise demolition project have begun receiving hand-delivered letters seeking their views.
Distribution of information packs began on Monday, with each of the 900 households receiving the details in person from a housing officer.
They outline that, if approved, the first phase of demolition could take up to six years, and eligible householders would be entitled to “home loss” and disturbance payments.
Coatbridge blocks High Coats and Dunbeth and Jackson Courts are included in the potential opening phase of the council’s project, along with the Campsie, Cheviot, Etive, Ettrick, Fintry, Killin, Nevis, Pentland, Sidlaw, Striven and Tinto blocks in Shawhead; plus Northburn Place and Cheviot, Merrick and Pentland Courts in Airdrie.
The packs inform residents that: “There are over 1600 flats identified in the initial phase and it is likely to take a number of years to rehouse people and undertake the demolition programme. Some blocks may be demolished within the next two years – however, we anticipate it could take five or six years before all the blocks in the initial phase would be demolished.”
Open days are taking place next week for residents to speak to council officials about the proposals, and all householders are being asked to complete an opinion survey by the end of the month.
Stephen Llewellyn, who is the council’s head of housing, said: “This is the start of our ambitious plan to transform the skyline of North Lanarkshire and to provide quality modern homes that meet the needs of our communities.
“It’s vital that we hear the views from every resident and we will take on board their opinions, so I would urge every resident affected to have their say; this will have a major impact on you and your family, so don’t miss the chance to shape this decision.”
The online survey is at www. surveymonkey. co. uk/ r/ building a better future, while residents can email building a better future@ north l an. gov.uk or contact housing offices for more details.
A report will then be compiled and go before a meeting of North Lanarkshire’s housing committee to determine the way forward.
The information packs for householders add: “At this stage, no final decision has been made. If it is decided to go ahead with demolition, you will be contacted to discuss your re-housing needs and options.”
North Lanarkshire Council made the shock announcement in December that they aim to demolish every tower block over the next two decades in a £500 million regeneration project.
Council leader Jim Logue had said: “It’s essential we do something to regenerate these towns, [and] one of the best ways to do that is to have people again living in [them] in modern, fitf-or-purpose housing.”