Anger At Demolition Of Housing Properties Across Inverclyde With Rental Demand At All-Time High

Businessmen Sandy and James Easdale have hit out at plans by River Clyde Homes to demolish further social housing stock across Inverclyde.

The philanthropists have raised their concerns after it was confirmed that 48 disused tenement flats at Neil Street in Greenock are to be demolished following a five-year process to decide on the future of the properties.

The news followed a previous announcement that over 100 homes at Kelburn Terrace in Port Glasgow were also to be demolished by Inverclyde’s largest social housing provider, River Clyde Homes (RCH).

Sandy Easdale said: “Inverclyde is facing significant housing shortages and has done for several years, with a lack of available properties for locals and people looking to move into the area to set up home.

“This is all while Inverclyde has some of the highest depopulation, mortality, and deprivation statistics in Scotland.

“We therefore find it astonishing that the largest housing provider in the area is looking to demolish over 150 properties from its current portfolio when these could be refurbished and put back out to the market.

“Significant sums of money have been spent historically on the properties, especially at Kelburn Terrace which are large flats, ideal for families and excellently located for links to the west and central Scotland.

“The price to demolish these will be substantial and only act as a further significant cost to RCH.

"The properties at Neil Street were put to the open market in 2021 with a buyer identified only for River Clyde Homes to now decide these should be demolished after a five-year process.

“Where else would this business model work other than the current public sector model in Scotland?“

The Easdale Investment Group is behind several housing projects that will create over 3,000 new homes within the next decade throughout Scotland and estimated at £800 million, with 450 new homes now approved for the former IBM Spango Valley site in Greenock.

Earlier this month, approval was also granted by Inverclyde Council for the Easdale Investment Group to create 47 new homes at the site of the former Tate & Lyle factory in Greenock as part of a new £15 million development.

James Easdale added: “We know there’s been a lack of private development sites available to entice developers into Inverclyde but we have started to see more positive movements over the past few years.

“If the units at Neil Street and Kelburn were properly managed and maintained, the income would be close to £1 million per annum for River Clyde Homes and more importantly start to relieve some of the significant local demand.

“The focus cannot and should not be purely on the development of new properties by social housing providers, who should be held to account to ensure their existing stock is correctly managed, marketed, and maintained to ensure fewer voids within their portfolios.

“The Scottish Government and Inverclyde Council should also be doing more to support and incentivise social housing providers to ensure their portfolios and vacant land are well maintained and ensure increased council tax and revenue opportunities in Inverclyde.

“All options including disposal for the private market should also be considered, rather than just demolishing good quality stock in prime locations or sitting on greenfield sites for long periods.”