DEMOLITION of the first block of flats within Port Glasgow’s Clune Park is underway as part of the regeneration of the area.
Greenock-based Caskie Demolition is leading the work, which will see a tenement block on the corner of Wallace Street and Robert Street demolished. There are around 430 residential properties across 45 tenement blocks in total at Clune Park.
The building is one of 15 blocks of flats comprising some 138 properties that will be razed to the ground during the first phase of demolition, which also included the removal of the fire-damaged former church and school buildings within the estate last month.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said, “Work is progressing well with the removal of the former church and school buildings. While that in itself was significant, seeing the flats starting to come down is a huge moment for everyone connected to Clune Park.
“There will no doubt be a sense of sadness among families who once lived here but there is also cause for celebration in seeing these properties coming down as we look ahead to a brighter future for Clune Park.
“We have exciting plans for new houses on the site, which is in a great location close to the town centre, local businesses, the river, and with excellent transport links. This area has such huge potential and can once again be a desirable place to live.”
Euan Caskie, from Caskie Ltd, added, “Winning this contract has provided a great opportunity for our team to contribute to the work being done by the council in the local area and enables us to continue developing our workforce within the Inverclyde community.”
A new Clune Park masterplan was approved by the council in November 2023 with the ultimate aim of regenerating the area with new, quality homes that meet the needs of Port Glasgow and wider Inverclyde.
The masterplan is subject to a variety of factors, including securing ownership of the remainder of the estate, obtaining planning permission, and attracting the necessary external funding to build new homes.
