A resident of an abandoned and crumbling housing estate set for demolition has refused to move – despite the area being dubbed ‘Britain’s Chernobyl’.
70-year-old Marshal Craig instead described the Clune Park estate in Inverclyde, Scotland, as ‘idyllic’, adding he was ‘perfectly fine’ living there and didn’t want to move. The site, built in 1905, comprises of 430 flats left largely abandoned since 1997. In 2020, one of the properties sold for as little as £6,000.
Inverclyde Council, who plan to demolish the lot, purchased more than half of the flats on the formerly private estate, with plans for a 'long term regeneration of the area.' But with no updates on the project since 2019, Clune Park has been left covered in smashed glass from damaged windows, litter, and is often the site of arson attacks.
Marshal, who was one of only five residents remaining on the estate last year, stood firm on his decision to stay. He said: "I've lived here for 20 years all in all and four years in this particular house. 'Quite frankly, I don't want to move and I'm quite happy here. I know it's rough sometimes and people come in and smash stuff but I'm perfectly happy here and I don't want to leave. In some ways it's quite idyllic. My house is built like a castle. The walls are thick and sturdy, there's a nice view and no dampness."
Marshal Craig, 70, was one of only five residents living in Clune Park last year (Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)"The only thing the view from my kitchen window is missing is a few palm trees!", he added. The retired forestry worker was one of only five residents living in Clune Park last year. At one point, the estate was home to many shipyard workers employed nearby, but they moved out in the late 1990s.
Inside WW1 military hospital abandoned for decades before new lease of life
Marshal continued: "When I first moved here there was a lot more people, but now it's pretty much empty. Now, out of the 480 families that would be able to stay here, there's only five of us left holding down the fort.They're great neighbours. I think I'll be tying myself to the radiator if they make me move out."
The council pursued a compulsory purchase order in January to demolish the entire site. They intend to build 100-120 new homes in its place. Marshal added: "These are good solid buildings. Why not just do this place up and house people in them that need them."
Many properties have been left with fire damage and broken windows due to anti-social behaviour (Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS)"There is some anti-social behaviour usually late at night. The fire damage and broken windows are the worst thing. I probably call the fire brigade more than anyone else and when I hear a fire engine now I don't even get up to see what's going on anymore."
''It's just part of the background now. That all happens in the other three blocks though. Where we are at the end of the fourth block is absolutely fine. I'm really happy here, it's my home and I've lived here for 20 years so I don't want to go."
A spokesperson for Inverclyde Council said in statement last year: "It remains our ambition to acquire properties at Clune Park to allow for the delivery of long term regeneration of the area. While progress has been frustratingly slow and costly, the ambition still remains and discussions are continuing to achieve this aim at the earliest possible opportunity."
The Mirror has contacted Inverclyde Council for an update on the Clune Park regeneration project.
A version of this story was first published on May 17 2023.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
