| The “Ardler Four” — Mrs Jessie Devine, Mr Ian Pryde, Mr Stewart Davies and Mrs Annie Gray — are adamant they will not move until their new homes are completed.
They say they were given assurances they would not have to be decanted from their flats and maintain the hold-up in completing their new homes is due to construction delays and is not of their making.
“I was promised that house, I have signed for that house, and that’s what I am waiting for,” said Mrs Devine.
The four have won the support of TARA (Tenants and Residents of Ardler), the association Sanctuary recognises as representing everyone living in the area, whether in rented accommodation or as owner occupiers.
And they have reacted with shock and dismay to suggestions their actions are stubborn and selfish and are holding up the massive project to regenerate Ardler.
TARA chairperson Bette Gurvan, who led the Ardler Steering Group that helped get the project off the ground in the first place, said she was incensed when she read criticism of the four, who she believes are entirely within their rights to stay put.
“I was so angry when I read that they were being called selfish that I couldn’t sleep that night,” she said.
She said she could not understand where the complaints were coming from as she had confirmed that the four, plus 10 other households already decanted from the block, were the only tenants promised yet-to-be completed houses and the construction of their homes was not dependant on the demolition of the block.
Ms Gurvan said, “The four households are adamant they don’t want the trauma of two flittings for personal and health reasons — some are elderly and/or infirm — and they are awaiting their designated homes.”
An issue has also been made over the cost of the 24-hour concierge system supplied at the block, a service that requires a staff of 12 to provide.
However, say the residents, Sanctuary had already budgeted for the cost of the service until at least September and the block would require some form of security even if it were empty.
Local councillor Kevin Keenan has asked Sanctuary to consider speeding up its build programme.
“I am hoping that it will take the suggestion on board and be able to build the houses faster,” he said.
Sanctuary was asked to comment today on the Ardler Four’s assertion that they were not responsible for the delays, but had not replied at the time of going to press.
The housing association has previously accepted that the issue is not over the decant deal —which the four agree is very generous — but on their unwillingness to move twice within a short space of time. |
