Residents of “unpopular” Angus flats are being asked their opinions on demolishing their estate as part of a £26.5 million regeneration scheme.
The Timmergreens area in west Arbroath was built in the 1960s and some of the flats in Emislaw Drive, Fraser Path, Newton Crescent and Spittalfield are “not viable” in the long term.
A pot of cash is available to be a “catalyst for wider regeneration” which will involve the demolition of 140 low-demand properties to make way for 128 houses and own door flats of no more than two storeys.
The first resident meetings took place for residents of Emislaw and Spittalfield on Monday, with more to follow for Fraser Path on Wednesday at 2.30pm, Newton Crescent at 5.30pm, and all addresses on July 10 at 11am and 2.30pm.
All meetings take place at the community centre in Marketgate.
In a letter to residents of these areas, community regeneration officer Debbie Gowans states: “Angus Council is considering options for the regeneration of the Timmergreens area.
“We are proposing to demolish some of the stock that we consider no longer fits with our vision of ‘creating places that people are proud to call home’.
“This may include the block in which you live.
“This would see us replacing them with new houses and making improvements to the open space, walking and cycle routes and overall environment.”
Officers believe a lack of privacy and high score on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation has created a “low demand” for at least 140 properties in its housing stock there.
Some £26.5m has been allocated in the council’s strategic plan for 2017-22, including £300,000 for “buyback” of former council homes.
And £7.5 million is anticipated from the Scottish Government toward the cost.
The Courier previously reported how emptied properties could be burned down as part of a demonstration following the Grenfell Tower fire in London.
The deadliest fire in mainland Britain since the start of the 20th Century reduced the 24-storey block to ashes on June 14 and the presumed death total is at 79.
During debate on the issue, local councillor Alex King said any demolition could take place after a sprinkler test, mirroring a study done 10 years ago in Forfar.
