Twelve eyesore flats in a west Fife village are to be demolished.
Members of Fife Council’s Cowdenbeath Area Committee have agreed to the move after hearing it would cost more to improve the difficult-to-let flats.
The three blocks of four in Craigie Street, Ballingry, were originally earmarked for renovation following serious water penetration problems. The intention had been to temporarily decant the tenants to allow the work to be carried out.
However, the estimated cost of improvements has risen from £60,000 to £75,000 per flat, bringing the cost to £900,000.
Committee chair Willie Clarke said the Craigie Street flats were simply too expensive to repair.
He said it would cost too much to bring them to a standard that would be fit for letting, and said: “They are an eyesore to the village.
“We consulted with tenants and looked at various options, including spending almost £900,000 on renovating them.
“The strong preference was that the flats should be demolished and the tenants allocated new homes, either with Fife Council or another social landlord.
“In view of this increased cost and the lack of demand for properties of this size, there is no guarantee that the flats would prove any more popular to rent.”
Derek Muir, head of Housing and Neighbourhood Services with the council, said discussions were ongoing with tenants on their future homes in advance of the demolition taking place.
“Five of the 12 flats are now vacant as the tenants have accepted permanent accommodation,” he said.
“We’re looking at various options on the future housing needs of the remaining tenants and will discuss these fully with people involved.
“Once demolished, the site will be grassed over pending further consideration of demand for housing in this area.”