Residents still unable to return to their Dundee homes more than 14 months after a landslip may have seen a breakthrough.
More than 100 householders were evacuated following a terrifying collapse of rear gardens behind flats on Gardner Street.
No-one was hurt in the landslip and blocks were soon declared safe, but residents of 12 flats at 2 Gardner Street still remain in temporary accommodation.
Several have said they are pleased with the development, but remain cautious while nothing is confirmed.
On Tuesday at the meeting of the Coldside Local Community Planning Partnership, residents heard that the still-abandoned flats could soon see tenants.
Coldside councillor Jimmy Black said: “There is a plan to rebuild a wall that will retain the gardens and get people back into their houses.
“That report is still being written and should go before the committee in March.
“It’s incredibly important for those residents, and it’s great news because this process has been very frustrating.
“There is not much more to say at this stage but residents will definitely be back in their homes by the end of the year.
“I am delighted to say it is now a matter of months, not years.”
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “The council recognises that this complicated situation has taken far longer to resolve than was initially thought and that the delay cannot continue.
“Although there is still a problem in identifying who was responsible for the wall and its collapse, officers are prepared to recommend to the council that it should use its legal powers to step in and carry out permanent repairs.
“A report by the director of city development will be going to the council in the very near future seeking their agreement that the necessary works be carried out as soon as possible.
“Until the Council formally takes a decision on this, we cannot comment further but we are now seeking to bring this whole matter to an early resolution.”
Residents were initially promised that the landslide issue would be sorted last summer.
Damage to the buildings is estimated by some at as much as £1 million, while other residents believe a full demolition of the entire tenement is likely.