The first phase of work on the regeneration of housing in Johnstone Castle has begun.

Demolition of the first vacant block of flats is now underway. The six flats, at Sycamore Avenue, are the first of 48 blocks of tenement flats that will be demolished as part of the programme to regenerate housing in Johnstone Castle.

The project will see the demolition of a number of low demand tenement flats and the construction of new houses.

johnstone castle

(Johnstone Castle photograph courtesy of http://www.jvmb.co.uk/ )
Good progress is also being made in re-housing tenants affected by the plans to allow for the newbuild plans to proceed.

The first phase of tenant moves began at the end of last year and the council has made contact with every tenant affected to discuss their rehousing options.

Councillor Tommy Williams, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, said: “I am delighted to see work beginning on this exciting project that will transform Johnstone Castle.

“It is a long term plan which will see low demand, outdated tenement flats being replaced with high quality, modern homes that better meet the needs of the community. It is also part of the council’s wider plan to deliver 1000 new affordable homes in Renfrewshire by 2020.

“We have had great support from the local residents so far and we will continue to work closely with them to keep them informed of progress and to ensure that those who wish to stay in Johnstone Castle, wherever possible, get the chance to do so.”

The contractor has had to close off the play park immediately adjacent to the building at Sycamore Avenue for site protection and safety reasons. The play park will reopen once the demolition on the site is finished.

As well as work starting on site, the Johnstone Castle Housing Regeneration (JCHR) Project Group has held its first two meetings.

This group is made up of tenants and officers from the council’s Housing Regeneration team and will play a key role in communicating information and issues between the council and the community.

As well as the project group, members of the Housing Regeneration Team are holding weekly drop-in sessions in Johnstone Castle Community Centre on a Wednesday and Thursday, 9am – 11am.

If your home is one of those affected by the plans and you have questions about rehousing and demolition, or you are a private owner with a query please pop in to see them. They will be happy to talk to you and answer any queries.

It is really important that all the households affected by the regeneration plans have completed a housing application form. If you are affected and have not yet completed a housing application please contact the Johnstone Neighbourhood Office on 0141 618 2581.

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