Ayr high flats rescue plan suffers huge blow as Conservative bid is defeated

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A bid by the Conservative administration to revisit the demolition of Ayr’s high flats was resoundingly beaten at the last meeting of South Ayrshire Council before recess.Depute Leader Lee Lyons, seconded by independent Bob Shields, sought to get answers on the status of work being carried out at Riverside Place, the full cost of the demolition, the steps the council would need to take to cancel the demolition and the consequences of such a decision.He also sought a new report on how the council could refurbish the three blocks, along with the cost and timescale for such a programme.Labour group leader Brian McGinley, who championed the replacement of the flats as part of the last administration, said that he was happy for councillors to seek information, but pointed out that the decision had already been taken and proposed an amendment to continue the current work.Independent Alec Clark, who was given a senior role by the new administration having been part of the last one, said: “There is only one tenant left in high flats.

All the rest have been relocated or temporarily relocated in new properties.”He added that the buildings were ‘riddled with asbestos’ and questioned how any change in plan could be put in place.Labour’s Ian Cavana agreed, adding that one of the main issues for his backing of demolition was the lack of fire and rescue equipment to reach the top of the flats.“I’m sorry, the high flats are past their sell by date.”SNP councillor Julie Dettbarn said that surveys had given the flats a lifespan of 20 to 25 years and questioned spending millions given this.The Kyle councillor added that she was ‘appalled’ by the suggestion that the flats could be used for supported living accommodation for vulnerable