Council announces £5million improvement programme for Priesthill homes

Information on a £5.12million improvement programme for almost 200 homes in Priesthill that started recently was presented to a Glasgow City Council committee today (24 January).

The homes, known locally as the Barratt Circle, had led to concerns being raised by residents and elected members about the condition of the properties, the high incidence of private lets and associated issues such as anti-social behaviour, and the council was asked to intervene.

The properties - mostly former council inter-war stock at Glenmuir Drive, Househillmuir Road, Linnhead Drive and Ravenscraig Drive - were refurbished by Barratt in the 1980s and marketed for low cost home ownership suitable for first time buyers.

A number of issues, including owners not paying for factoring services, has led to varying levels of disrepair and around 25 of the current homes lying vacant.

Council officers working in partnership with Rosehill Housing Co-operative have liaised with local residents over the past year with a view to finding a solution to these issues.  After this dialogue, it was agreed that a programme to consider how the properties could be maintained / factored after improvement works and how the problem of vacant properties and poor landlord practice could be addressed.

The improvements work programme will address the issues identified in three phases:

•           Phase 1 - External Wall Insulation and common fabric repairs including roof, gutters, downpipes, common close doors and windows, clearing roof spaces etc.

•           Phase 2 - Close security including door entry systems, close lighting and close decoration works.

•           Phase 3 - Environmental works - back gardens, common areas, and refuse collection facilities and external security lighting etc.

It is expected that Rosehill Housing Co-operative will become factor for the properties, and the imbalance of tenure (too high a proportion of private landlords) will be addressed through the council's acquisitions strategy, which will focus on empty properties and problematic private lets.

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "We are determined to tackle the issues that have been arising in this part of Priesthill, and will work with local residents and our partners to transform the condition of these homes.  This investment will enable a high standard of property management, maintenance and security for the people living here."

The £5.12million funding for the first two phases of this work, which will be carried out from this week until 2018, comes from a number of sources: Glasgow City Council; the Scottish Government, owners, the social landlord, and an economic company obligation from utility firm EON.

The council will consult with the owners on a third phase - environmental works, including considering proposals for the water pump building in the back court area - in the coming months.