Fife Council will attempt to reclaim the costs of reducing two blocks of flats declared ”unfit for human habitation” to rubble.
That was the assurance of council leader Peter Grant after councillors rubber-stamped moves to bring down the blocks at 46-69 Durris Drive and 56-79 Huntly Drive in Glenrothes.
The deteriorating condition of the flats prompted the council to serve closure orders on them in October 2010, after attempts to force their owners to improve them failed.
Now demolition orders have been served on the properties, meaning that the owners have three months to tear down the flats at their own cost.
However, failure to comply will leave the council facing a £170,000 bill to carry out the demolition itself, although Mr Grant stressed the local authority will do whatever it can to recoup that cash back from the owners if need be.
He said: ”These properties have simply not been maintained and are now in such a state of disrepair that they are not only below a tolerable standard for habitation, they are beyond any realistic hope of ever being fit for people to live in.
”For several years the council has been working with Kingdom Housing Association to demolish council-owned blocks of the same design and replace them with attractive, modern affordable housing.
”This has made a huge difference to the local environment but at the same time these two blocks have remained as an appalling eyesore.”
He added: ”The vast majority of people in Tanshall want to take a pride in where they live and they deserve better than to have this on their doorsteps.
”We’ve had to go through a lengthy and complex legal process to get to this stage but it shouldn’t be too much longer before the people of Tanshall are rid of these blocks forever.”
Seven former residents have already been re-housed by the council and moves towards demolition should be progressed further in 2012.
Council protective services manager Roy Stewart said: ”Both blocks, built in the 1960s, have been a blight on the local community for several years and despite attempts to engage with owners and encourage them to carry out vital repairs and maintenance, we have now been left with no option but to serve these demolition orders.”