HOUSING chiefs have announced a £1.2million regeneration project, starting with the demolition of a notorious housing estate.

West Dunbartonshire Council have agreed to go ahead with plans that would see the three multi-storey blocks - Newshot, Edmonstone and Howcraigs Courts - and four maisonette blocks - Clydeholm, Hamilton and Yokerburn Terraces at Clydebank East demolished. The process for demolition and clearing the site may take three years, and there are no current plans to build on the site, but council bosses say demolition would make it available for future development of 'more desirable' social housing stock.

Clydebank East boasts more than 330 flats in the multi-storey blocks alone, but almost half of these are currently empty due to maintenance and repair issues.

The council had approved plans earlier in the year to redevelop the land, consulting with residents and the local community on whether to proceed with a full or partial demolition and rebuild. Feedback was mixed, with more than half of the residents wanting to move from the area, while 46 per cent said they wanted to stay.

Councillors stressed last week that while the decision to demolish the site had been a difficult one, they felt making it available for future regeneration provided the 'best way forward for the area'.

Councillor David McBride, Convener of Housing, said: “This was a hard decision for everyone, but in the end the full demolition option seemed to reflect the desire of the greatest number of residents.

“By clearing the site for future regeneration projects it will help to remove the stigma which is often associated with this area, and gives us the opportunity to look at more creative ways to develop the site.”

The troubled estate has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and crime for many years. Residents now hope they will be provided with suitable housing elsewhere.

Raymond Divers, chairman of the resident's association, has lived in Newshot Court for 26 years. He said: “Now they have finalised their decision the only thing is to move forward. Rehousing people will be a big problem for them.

“One tenant I spoke to recently thought they would get a new-build property when in reality they could end up in an old tenement. We should dig our heels in, we want moved to decent homes.

“All tenants that stay in multi-storey flats want a nice, clean, warm home. I’m nearly 60, all I want is a nice home, not a flat that’s surrounded by junkies.”

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, Vice-Convener of Housing, said: “Residents living in Clydebank East all had mixed feelings about what was best for the future of the area. We had to make a decision which we felt was in the best interests of tenants, residents and the wider community of Clydebank.

"Many of these properties are in a poor condition and demand to live here has been reducing each year. Demolishing all the properties will provide future developments a blank canvas to work from which would allow fresh life to be brought to the area.”