Revampboostforhomes after residents’ concerns
WORK on the first phase of a multi-million pound upgrade of almost 200 homes in Priesthill has been completed.
Residents of Barratt Circle raised concerns about the condition of the properties, the large number of private lets and anti-social behaviour and asked the city council to get involved.
The former council homes at Glenmuir Drive, Househillmuir Road, Linnhead Drive and Ravenscraig Drive were built between the wars and were refurbished by Barratt in the 1980s.
They were marketed for low-cost home ownership for first time buyers but problems arose with owners not paying for a factor resulting in them falling into disrepair and around 25 of the homes lying empty.
Council officers, working with Rosehill Housing Co-operative liased with local residents to find a solution.
A three-stage programme of improvement work, part funded by the local authority, was drawn up.
Phase one has involved external wall insulation and repairs to roofs, gutters, downpipes, common close doors and windows.
The next phase will involve providing door entry systems close lighting and close decoration with the final stage environmental work including back gardens, common areas and external security lighting.
It is expected the housing co-oper- ative will take over factoring the properties and there will be fewer private landlords and problem lets.
Kenny McLean, the council’s neighbourhoods, housing and public realm spokesman, said: “The council, the residents and our partners have been working hard on this project which will have a huge impact on not only those homes but the whole area.”
Geri Mogan, housing co-operative depute director, said she was delighted with the work to refurbish the Barratt Flats.
She added: “The look of the area has already been transformed with more work to come. We are working on the next phase of these and we will be in touch with residents soon to discuss things and finalise matters ready for going out to tender.”