The first of three high-rise tower blocks on Allanfauld Road, Cumbernauld, is set to be demolished next year.

On Friday (12 December), North Lanarkshire Council will transfer the ownership of the three blocks to Sanctuary Cumbernauld, after Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers were taken out to acquire the site.

The CPO will allow the housing provider's £75m planned regeneration of the high-rise blocks to progress.

The Allanfauld Road blocks will be handed over to Safedem, Sanctuary Cumbernauld's demolition contractor, in the new year and it is thought the blocks will be demolished in late summer 2015.

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Roddy Macdonald, Sanctuary's Head of Development – Scotland, said: "This is a significant step which will see the first of the high-rise blocks cleared. Every traceable owner has willingly sold their flat to us, reinforcing the case to start the demolition programme for these once popular buildings.

"The CPO will prevent an abandoned flat delaying the construction of 111 new homes. We thank North Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Government for their support in helping progress this much-needed regeneration project."

Councillor Sam Love, North Lanarkshire Council's Convener of Housing and Social Work Services, added: "The use of CPO powers has been necessary to ensure that the demolition of these blocks of flats can go ahead in order to replace them with new high quality homes fit for the 21st century.

"I am delighted with the progress that has been made already in progressing this ambitious project and would like to acknowledge the hard work of all those involved and also wish the tenants and owners every happiness in their new homes."

(JP/CD)