COUNCILLORS are at war over the demolition of a derelict block of flats in Johnstone.

An opposition member of Renfrewshire Council, Andy Doig, of the SNP, has accused the Labour-run administration of dragging its feet over the problems at Craigdonald Place and is demanding immediate demolition.

But the council says it is working hard to achieve exactly that.

Councillor Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, and Lochwinnoch, says the area has become a focus for anti-social behaviour and vermin.

He said: "At the last housing board meeting of Renfrewshire Council it was reported in the Service Improvement Plan Monitoring Report that the demolition target for Craigdonald Place was now January due to the purchase of a continued owner in the buildings by the Council.

"Frankly, the Labour administration is dragging its feet on this.

"Residents in the surrounding streets to Craigdonald Place have been complaining to me for some months now due to the boarded up buildings being not only a focus for vandalism and theft, but also for vermin like rats as well.

"It is very close to the town centre where there are many food outlets, and I want action on this now. It is great to see action being taken to clean up Provost Close from needles but the next step is to flatten Craigdonald Place.

"Incle Street in Paisley town centre is going to be demolished by Renfrewshire Council. My SNP colleagues and I very much welcome this as it has been held up due to one owner holding out for a settlement.

"My understanding is this is similar to the situation in Craigdonald Place, so the council needs to play fair by Johnstone and take similar decisive action."

But the council's Housing Convener, Tommy Williams, said the council was working hard to resolve a legal wrangle which will allow action to be taken on the problem stretch.

Councillor Williams added: "It is wrong to suggest that the council is dragging its feet over the demolition of Craigdonald Place.

"It is our top priority to demolish the building.

"All the council tenants have been rehoused but there is one privately-owned property within the block.

"We are continuing to negotiate with the owner so that we can move the situation forward. We accept this is taking some time but we are looking at all the options that are open to us as councillor Doig is well aware."