An abandoned housing estate known as ‘Britain’s Chernobyl’ is set to finally be demolished despite five residents vowing not to move.
The derelict Clune Park in Port Glasgow has been almost entirely abandoned since 1997.
It was originally built in 1905 but the 430 flats on the estate have decayed so much in the past two decades that it now resembles the set of a post-apocalyptic film.
The council has now issued dangerous building notices for 138 properties.
Inverclyde Council, which issued the notices on 16 July, believes the buildings are beyond repair and should be knocked down.
The derelict Clune Park in Port Glasgow has been almost entirely abandoned since 1997
It was originally built in 1905 but the 430 flats on the estate have decayed so much in the past two decades that it now resembles the set of a post-apocalyptic film
Residents such as Marshal Craig (pictured) still live on the estate despite the council announcing plans to demolish the mostly abandoned estate
Despite this some of the last residents living there have refused to leave.
Speaking last year, Marshal Craig, 71, said he was one of just five people left there but had no plans to move claiming it is ‘idyllic’.
The retired forestry worker said: ‘I’ve lived here for 20 years all in all and four years in this particular house.
‘Quite frankly, I don’t want to move and I’m quite happy here.
‘I know it’s rough sometimes and people come in and smash stuff but I’m perfectly happy here and I don’t want to leave.
‘In some ways it’s quite idyllic. My house is built like a castle. The walls are thick and sturdy, there’s a nice view and no dampness.
‘The only thing the view from my kitchen window is missing is a few palm trees!’
The council has now issued dangerous building notices for 138 properties. Inverclyde Council, which issued the notices on 16 July, believes the buildings are beyond repair and should be knocked down
Mr Craig inside his flat. The retired forestry worker said: ‘I’ve lived here for 20 years all in all and four years in this particular house. ‘Quite frankly, I don’t want to move and I’m quite happy here’
The estate was largely abandoned in the late 1990s after the majority of the shipyard workers employed nearby moved out.
Mr Craig says the remaining residents all stay in the same area of one block.
He said: ‘When I first moved here there was a lot more people, but now it’s pretty much empty.
‘Now, out of the 480 families that would be able to stay here, there’s only five of us left holding down the fort.
‘They’re great neighbours. I think I’ll be tying myself to the radiator if they make me move out.
‘I’m really happy here, it’s my home and I’ve lived here for 20 years so I don’t want to go.’
The estate has been a frequent target of arson attacks with some of the cheapest properties in Britain – in 2020 one flat sold for 6K.
The estate in Port Glasgow in Inverclyde was privately owned but Inverclyde Council has bought more than half the properties and wants to demolish the lot. Inverclyde Council are now seeking tenders to carry out the work of tearing down the buildings
The estate in Port Glasgow in Inverclyde was privately owned but Inverclyde Council has bought more than half the properties and wants to demolish the lot.
Inverclyde Council are now seeking tenders to carry out the work of tearing down the buildings.
The council had invited private owners to appeal against the notices but no objections were received by the deadline of 6 August.
Tenders for the demolition of the flats, a primary school and former church are currently being sought.
A spokesperson said: ‘While progress to regenerate Clune Park has been incredibly difficult, a huge amount of work has been taking place in the background.
‘We have been proactively acquiring properties for a number of years and now own over half the estate and the door remains open for private owners to negotiate the sale of the remaining properties in the area.
‘A lot of work has also been taking place to examine potentially dangerous buildings which have fallen into a serious state of disrepair due to a number of factors, including deliberate fires and anti-social behaviour.
‘Following extensive investigations, dangerous building notices were recently served on 138 properties across 15 tenement blocks.
The estate has been a frequent target of arson attacks with some of the cheapest properties in Britain – in 2020 one flat sold for 6K
‘The timeframe to appeal those notices has since passed with no appeals having been received.
‘A contractor is now being sought to demolish these flats, as well as the former school and church buildings.
‘Further investigations are taking place to identify other potentially dangerous buildings and security has been increased, including extra fencing, CCTV and community warden patrols, to deter people from going near dangerous and potentially dangerous buildings and we would like to take this opportunity to discourage people from going near the area in the interests of safety.’
