Rundown flats bought
Hopes are high that a rundown area of Newmains can be transformed after a company purchased a large number of flats.
The Wishaw Press understands property company Peninsula Ventures Ltd have bought over 30 properties within Fiddoch and Kildonan Court.
The company, whose office is registered in Paisley, had been in contact with the other owners or landlords within the site and are obtaining estimates for roughcasting, roofing and door entry works.
Peninsula, registered as a company in November, also hope to obtain grant funding for external works to the block of flats.
The improvements will be a relief to many with the flats falling into a state of disrepair and a number of fires taking place over the last 18 months.
Speaking at a recent Newmains Community Council meeting, Councillor Rober t McKe n d r i c k said: “Everyone knows the mess the flats are in. There have been a lot of problems there.
“People were lucky to get out of there on one occasion.
“Thankfully now we are making good progress in terms of getting them refurbished.
“I’m hoping to have further meetings with officials from various council departments and we can see some progress.”
A meeting wi t h council officials, and representatives from the company will be held this Friday, March 3, having been organised by deputy council leader Paul Kelly with the hope of more progress being made in bringing the properties up to a high standard.
In July last year, Councillor McKendrick called for the flats in Fiddoch Court to be demolished following an arson attack.
Residents were forced to flee the blaze with two of them being taken to Wishaw General Hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
In October 2015, the Wishaw Press reported that vandals deliberately torched a bin shed at the Fiddoch Court flats.
One resident, Ann Robert, told our reporter how their barking dog saved their lives after the terrifying fire ripped through the block of flats.
Ann was sleeping in her flat when she was woken up by her pet dog Sasha barking loudly.
Ann and other residents had to fight their way through a smoke- filled stairwell to safety.
Therehave been a lot of problems there