Fife Council has taken a further step towards securing the demolition of two blocks of flats that have been declared "unfit for human habitation".

The deteriorating condition of the two blocks at 46 – 69 Durris Drive and 56 – 79 Huntly Drive, Glenrothes has prompted the council to serve demolition orders on the properties. Seven former residents have already been re-housed by the council.

Senior Manager (Protective Services) Roy Stewart commented: "Both blocks, built in the 1960’s have been a blight on the local community for several years and despite attempts to engage with owners and encourage them to carry out vital repairs and maintenance, we have now been left with no option but to serve these demolition orders."

In October 2010 the council’s Policy, Finance and Asset Management Committee agreed to serve Closure Orders which made it illegal for the flats to be occupied. This week Mr Stewart advised the Committee that all owners had complied with the closure order and that the next stage was to serve demolition orders on both blocks. Owners will then be required to demolish the flats at their own cost and have three months to comply. After this time the council will have the power to organise the demolition and reclaim the full cost from the owners.

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It’s estimated the cost to the council if required to carry out the demolition could be £170,000.

Council Leader Peter Grant stressed that the council will make every attempt to reclaim costs: "These properties have simply not been maintained and are now in such a state of disrepair that they are not only below a tolerable standard for habitation, they are beyond any realistic hope of ever being fit for people to live in.

"For several years the council has been working with Kingdom Housing Association to demolish council owned blocks of the same design and replace them with attractive, modern affordable housing. This has made a huge difference to the local environment but at the same time these two blocks have remained as an appalling eyesore.

"The vast majority of people in Tanshall want to take a pride in where they live and they deserve better than to have this on their doorsteps. We’ve had to go through a lengthy and complex legal process to get to this stage but it shouldn’t be too much longer before the people of Tanshall are rid of these blocks forever."

(GK)