| By May or June, the multi will be demolished, stripping the area of its high-rise homes and completing another phase of the £80 million Ardler village project.
The residents’ move will be a relief to Sanctuary Scotland, the housing association which for the past six months has provided a 12-strong team of doormen and security staff at the Barassie/Baberton/Carnoustie Court block.
The four tenants, who last summer declared they were staying put until their new homes in Ardler were completed, said they had not all received the keys.
Stewart Davie, of Baberton Court, said neighbour Ian Pryde was still awaiting news.
However, after months of delays, setbacks and disputes, Mr Davie said he was happy the end was in sight for the long-running saga.
He added, “I’m happy with my bungalow and, hopefully, everyone else will have their keys in the next week or so.”
Mr Davie was pleased with his new home, but voiced concerns about street lighting and road access.
He explained, “It still looks like a building site at the moment. I’m a bit concerned about the lighting and the road is in a real mess.
“The only other problem is the size of the back garden. I’m disabled and I don’t know how they expect me to clear up the rocks and stones as well as maintaining a garden of that size.”
The remaining residents have two weeks to move after they receive their keys.
While the four have remained in the tower block, other residents were moved into temporary accommodation, which were new houses and came with a £500 disturbance allowance, free carpets and blinds, freeview TV boxes and removal costs paid.
The departed residents voiced their disapproval of the actions of the “Ardler four”, suggesting they were holding up the completion of the project.
Sanctuary Scotland director Gordon Laurie conceded the objections of the four have held up operations for four months.
Mr Laurie said the block should be completely closed by the end of this month, instead of September last year.
He said, “In fairness, I can understand the people in the block did not want to have to move twice in a short period of time and we can appreciate the inconvenience that would have been caused.
“In the overall timescale of the project, which is seven years, it might be disappointing but not too dramatic.”
He said that although the demolition had been delayed, it had not held up anyone in Ardler gaining a new house.
Once the building comes down, there will be eight new homes built on the site. It will leave one final phase of 50 houses for sale to be built, completing the Ardler project. |
