Renfrewshire Council is to decide whether to consult with residents of Johnstone Castle over a proposed housing regeneration scheme.

If approved by the Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, tenants and residents will then be invited to share their views on a regeneration strategy. The plan could potentially involve the demolition of a number of tenement flats in the area with new homes constructed in their place.

In a report to the board, it revealed that a majority of the Council-owned properties in the area are tenement flats, with many thought to have reached the end of their useful life. The local authority now hope to create an ambitious development plan for the area which would help meet local needs.

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The addresses proposed for demolition would be:

• 67-109 and 155-157 Elm Drive (odd numbers)

• 1-13 Maple Drive (odd numbers)

• 18-22 Tower Road (even numbers)

• 45 Sycamore Avenue

• 2-26 Cedar Avenue (even numbers).

In addition, it is proposed that the lock-ups at Elm Drive/Spruce Avenue and at Maple Drive are also considered for demolition.

Addressing the plans, Councillor Tommy Williams, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, said: "There is a severe lack of demand for tenement properties in Johnstone Castle, as a result there are a high percentage of empty flats and often a high turnover of those which are let.

"In addition, these tenement buildings are reaching the end of their lifespan with an estimated £2.5million of works required to upgrade them over the next 5 – 10 years.

"Given this significant cost and the fact that there is such low demand for long-term housing of this type in the area, it makes sense to look at alternative options that would meet the strong demand for terraced and semi-detached properties."

The Council is due to discuss the proposals today (11 March).

(JP)