WE’RE BEING FORCED OUT
Anger over flats decision
Almost half of the elderly and vulnerable residents of the high- rise flats at Riverside Place don’t want to move and will be forced out after a council decision to knock them down.
Councillors last week approved the demolition of the three Ayr tower blocks which will be replaced with 90 homes.
And The Post can reveal that the council have splashed out £ 1m recently refurbishing the flats.
A vote found that 99 residents out of 220 wish to remain in the high- rises.
Councillor Martin Dowey, Tory group leader on South Ayrshire Council, said he could not support the decision.
He said: “There are 99 families who don’t want to move.”
Resident William Dempsey ( below), 58, said: “Loads of us are scunnered they are coming down.”
Councillors voted unanimously and gave safety reasons for the decision following the Grenfell fire three years ago.
High- rise council flats in Ayr will be demolished and 90 homes built in their place, councillors have decided.
Tenants from the three Riverside Place blocks will be rehoused in newbuilds or existing council houses, a full South Ayrshire Council meeting heard.
A consultation revealed 111 of the households want them pulled down while 99 residents wish to stay in the tower blocks.
They were built in 1969 with each of the blocks containing 78 one- bedroom flats.
Councillor Philip Saxton said: “It is acknowledged this has been an upsetting time for tenants as they wait for a decision from the council on the future of the blocks.”
Councillor Derek McCabe said: “This is not an easy decision. The consequences are far reaching and long lasting,”
He said residents have concerns their close community will be broken up.
Councillor Brian McGinley said: “The days of high rises are over.”
The meeting heard the decision is driven by concerns over the tragic fire in the Grenfell Tower in London in June 2017. Commenting on the Ayr highflat tenants, Councillor Douglas Campbell said: “They are among our most vulnerable residents. Many of them use mobility scooters. We need to do the best we can for them.”
Councillor Laura Brennan- Whitefield said it is a “fire” and “safety” issue.
Councillor Siobhian Brown wants the council to prioritise the search for suitable replacement homes for the residents. A lot of the residents have called for ground level accommodation going forward.
The Fort Seafield and Wallacetown Community Council argued that the Ayr tower blocks are safe and “good for 30 years”. A spokesman said: It said: “The structure is 100 per cent safe.”
Refurbishment was the alternative option, which has been rejected.
Councillor Saxton put forward a motion calling for the demolition, which was approved by politicians.
No date for the demolition has been released yet.
Officers are due to write to tenants about the decision.