Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
DRIVEN OUT
Video shows police escort unwelcome tenant away amid angry scenes in Coatbridge
Police swooped on a property in Coatbridge to remove a man amid angry protests.
In footage posted on social media, officers were seen arriving at an Albion Street address last Thursday night.
The video shows police leaving a block of flats with a man carrying a bag of belongings, as a crowd of emotional onlookers shout and swear at the departing resident.
In the footage posted on Facebook, people can be heard chanting “get tae f***”, “paedo” and “cheerio”, while jeering and applauding, with one resident saying to a male cop, “that’s all we wanted mate, cheers”, as the man — believed to be a convicted sex offender — is taken away in a police car with sirens blaring.
The Advertiser understands he had only been in the flat for a matter of hours, after being moved there from elsewhere in the town.
Coatbridge North councillor Kirsten Larson said: “Following protests, we were contacted
New council houses are to be built at Gibb Street in Chapelhall and Glenacre Drive in Petersburn as part of the local authority’s plans to create 5000 new homes by 2035.
A total of 40 units are proposed for the Chapelhall site, with discussion also to take place over replacement of the nearby play area; while 15 properties are planned for the Petersburn site, near Jackson Church.
Their inclusion in the new- build scheme was approved under delegated powers at the recent virtual meeting to consider North Lanarkshire’s housing committee papers.
It also saw contracts awarded to progress plans for houses on the sites of the former council flats at Northburn Avenue in Airdrie and Chilterns House in Chryston; while proposals also moved forward to refurbish the derelict building at the former Sharks Mouth pub on Bank Street in Coatbridge.
Nine new rented properties and 10 supported accommodation units are to be created under the plans, which will see “demolition of most of the building while retaining some of the facade of the pub”.
Meanwhile, council officials are also seeking suggestions from developers for sites in Airdrie and Coatbridge where the authority can buy “off- the-shelf” new builds under its “development pathfinder” programme to boost suitable housing stocks.
Council officials say the ongoing housing work is “helping to support North Lanarkshire’s economic recovery and sustain jobs as we emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown”.
Acting housing convener Councillor Pat O’Rourke said: “Due to the pandemic, construction work has come to a halt; however, we’ve continued to work behind the scenes to push forward our ambitious housing programme, and this means we’re ready to support the construction industry as soon as it’s safe to be up and running again.
“The contracts we’ve awarded also include a range of community benefits including careers events for schoolchildren, grants to local groups, new jobs and apprenticeship opportunities – and by creating local jobs and training, we’ll be strengthening our local economy over a sustained period.
“Improving the lives of our tenants and regenerating our local communities and town centres are the drivers behind our long-term ambition.”
The authority is also preparing to resume its open market purchase scheme, buying back suitable former council properties, at a suitable time after coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Housing officials say: “Continuing to identify sites is crucial to ensuring our phased plans to demolish existing tower blocks and build new accessible homes that meet the needs and aspirations of our tenants.”
The authority’s housebuilding plans were welcomed by Airdrie parliamentarians Alex Neil MSP and Neil Gray MP.
Mr Neil said: “I’m delighted that the council has committed to building more social housing for local people.
“Currently there are an estimated 14,000 people waiting for a new house in North Lanarkshire, with my office getting regular calls and emails from constituents looking for appropriate accommodation, so new builds are essential.
“The council must ensure that each development includes housing for disabled and vulnerable people, of which there is a dire shortage.
“I am also pleased that the Scottish Government is continuing to support North Lanarkshire Council with its plans to build modern social housing, ensuring everyone has access to an affordable place to call home.”
Constituency colleague Mr Gray agreed: “It’s fantastic news that the council is living up to its commitment to build new social housing across the area.
“Like Alex, a huge amount of the cases my team and I handle are linked to housing waiting lists, whether it is people looking to move or folk waiting on their first house – I look forward to seeing these plans come to fruition and hope there are more developments to come.”