Tenants to be asked if Broomhead flats should be demolished

Ally McRoberts • Published 26 Aug 2011 08:30 45 Comments

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FAMILIES in the Broomhead flats in Dunfermline will be asked if they want the three high-rise blocks demolished to make way for new homes.

Knocking down the flats, which have been troubled by anti-social behaviour and are in need of "urgent" repair, is just one of the options.

Broomhead flats are 50-years-old this year but are proving unpopular with many people on housing lists refusing to move there or transferring out quickly.

However, Fife Council only have £5.1 million to spend there - knocking down all the blocks would cost more than treble that and heap more pressure on lengthy housing lists.

In a report the council's head of housing, Derek Muir, said, "The condition of Broomhead flats is of concern.

"In particular the external walls, balconies and stairwells have deteriorated in recent years and require urgent remedial work.

"There is, however, no immediate risk to tenants.

"There is a risk to the reputation of the council should action not be taken to address the physical and management issues associated with this estate."

The report said there was also a need for a "comprehensive Estates Action Plan" to tackle anti-social behaviour and night-time noise, reduce the fear of crime, engage more effectively with tenants and respond quickly to issues such as graffiti and people who do not control their pets.

Mr Muir added, "There is stigma attached to the estate and this, combined with anti-social behaviour, leads to a high number of requests for outward transfers.

"However, the Dunfermline area is significantly pressured with high levels of housing need and demand."

The Broomhead flats are made up of three blocks, 12 storeys high, with a total of 216 homes.

Five options covering refurbishment, partial and full demolition and replacement were looked at by the housing and communities committee on Tuesday.

Refurbishing all three blocks to "enhanced Fife Standard" would cost £5.1 million, refurbishing two and replacing one block with 27 housing units would cost £6.9 million and refurbishing one and replacing two blocks with 44 units would cost £8.5 million.

Knocking down all three blocks and replacing them with 160 units would come to £16 million, replacing them with 96 units would cost £10 million.

A precedent has been set a few miles to the west, where the council decided to flatten two of Kincardine's high rise blocks to make way for new homes - the third is due to come down next year.

Dunfermline councillor Joe Rosiejak said, "Let's be realistic, I don't think the Broomhead flats are an ideal place to bring up a young family, because of the lifts and the topography of the place, but we have to look at all the options.

"Years ago, when I visited high-rise blocks in Kincardine and Edinburgh to do with housing issues, we were told then that people don't want to live in high-rises as they want a front and back garden.

"From what I've been told a lot of the residents like living there, although it does have one or two problems.

"If we look at what they've done at Kincardine, is this a similar situation? We won't know until we ask the people what they want."

The council's Housing Revenue Account Business Plan agreed a maximum of £5.1 million to be spent at Broomhead over three years.

Refurbishment was recommended but not agreed by the committee and chairman Brian Goodall said, "There was a clear steer from the officers but that doesn't mean it's a done deal and the issues about the financial limit isn't the big one for me.

"It's more what do we do about the loss of stock if we did demolish and the knock-on effect on waiting lists and homelessness.

"It's not just pounds and pence, we have money available for new building, but we need a good solution for everyone.

"I have quite a history with the flats, I lived there for seven years, and even then people talked about bringing them down but there were others who like living there and the city centre location they have.

"We now have to consult all the tenants."

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blackadder
Unregistered User
Aug 26, 08:50
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I am fed up of hearing about council properties that are considered unworthy of being housed by people who want a council property. It is time to get to the root of the problem and not just chuck the baby out with the bath water. 50 years old should not be considered "old" for a property and should not be in a state where demolishing it is an option. How about back to basics? Council officials doing their job properly enforcing conditions of tenancy to anti-social tenants and non-rent payers. Re-instating the caretaker position of the flats who maintains the area and reports work as required. It is not rocket science, or it shouldn't be. You are a landlord, you collect your rent and maintain a good state of repair to your property. You are a tenant, you pay your rent and abide by the rules of the tenancy.

Recommend? Yes 69 No 7
lord brown
Unregistered User
Aug 26, 11:17
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only a fool wouldn`t want them demolished,so they can get themselves properly housed.

Recommend? Yes 17 No 27
******
Aug 26, 16:33
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Dunfy92
43 posts
Aug 26, 17:56
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I say the towers should be demolished and new (aesthetically pleasing) towers put in thier place for we young people who cant afford to get on the property ladder. I think some parts of this town need to be dragged into the 21st century. Modern glass buildings roughly the same height as broomhead would actually improve the skyline by a great deal. I agree that more affordable housing is also needed, the government and the councill have to be brave enough to make an investment.

Recommend? Yes 16 No 38
Blackadder
257 posts
Aug 26, 18:17
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Do you know what Dunfy92, when I moved out of my parents house I fancied a chic, state of the art pad, but I couldn't afford it and nobody was going to give me it, so I saved for a deposit and bought a suitable wee hoose and my street cred had to wait. My name is probably still on the cooncil housing waiting list to this very day. That's life sunshine.

It's not about the cooncil being brave here, it's down to financial logistics and getting their hoose (every pun intended) in order, and people taking responsibility for themselves.

Recommend? Yes 37 No 5
BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Aug 26, 21:55
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There is plenty of affordable housing, if, as Blackadder says, you set your sights realistically and expect to work your way up the property ladder rather than starting right at the top. There are plenty of people branding others snobs because of where they stay, yet I suspect just as much snobbery exists within social housing circles - don't want Fras Ave or Broomhead, but expect new KHA house at Trondheim or wherever, and won't settle for less than designer kitchen, dowstairs loo etc. Oh aye, and a grant to furnish the place. What happened to buying a fixer-upper and having to make do with bare boards and half-stripped wallpaper until you could afford to finish the job?

Recommend? Yes 35 No 2
SydCarrott
16 posts
Aug 27, 00:31
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Somebody knocks on your 9th floor flat and says would you like a nice new build with gardens and everything, what do they really think you're going to say?

I think it's alright if it's the right people who get the houses. I object when people are getting something good and not giving any thing back.

Recommend? Yes 14 No 16
******
Aug 27, 14:48
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JohnnyBravo32
1 post
Aug 28, 09:29
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I've grown up in the broomhead area all my life (32 years) and in my opinion they should have been knocked down a decade ago. The Roadhouse Pub was demolished and replaced with brand new homes with a stunning view of Broomhead flats from their windows. They are without a doubt the worst part of Dunfermline. Look at other areas of the town such as Abbeyview which is looking great now, why can't they do the same with Broomhead? I think refurbishing them is just crazy talk! What a waste of money that would be. Level them!!

Recommend? Yes 13 No 4
******
Aug 28, 15:30
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Aug 28, 17:47
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Aug 28, 17:59
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Aug 28, 18:05
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Aug 28, 18:21
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Chorthie
39 posts
Aug 30, 11:44
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I think Dunfy92 has sort of a point. Large modern flats like thoes being built in the DEX (or Duloch) could be used for council housing. Built cheaply but to a more modern standard only maybe 4-6 stories high. It is so hard to get a property now, I am 20 and have just done so, but the banks kept moving the goal posts meaning i had to pay an extra £8000 more up front than i really had. I had saved adn been todl what i needed, a friend of mine had to put down a 25% Deposit! Its not easy to save that just out of school. It is alot harder than people think to get on the ladder right now.

The flats are outdated and not suitable but they dont need to be replaced with luxuary. The student halls across the country are modern enough but not luxuary, somthing similar to pollock halls in Edinburgh would be ideal and would hopfully could sell some fo them off to get the return needed to pay for the work.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 9
Scotbox
18 posts
Aug 30, 18:44
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I visited Newcastle years ago, where the council had made a policy decision never to house children in buildings above 3 storeys.

That council took blocks like Broomhead and refurbed them into very desireable tenancies for the over 50's as well as some into sheltered accomodation. Access was maintained by making sure the lifts always worked and concierge was 24 hours.

My parents were first tenants of Broomhead and I was a 9 years old when I went to live there where people were falling over themselves to get one of these new homes.

There may be life in them yet - but get kids out of them!!!

Recommend? Yes 14 No 1
triskel
257 posts
Aug 31, 11:31
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Housing is a RIGHT.

Getting a mortgage, (NOBODY buys a house for cash) is a TRAP designed for snobs.

The Thatcher gang destroyed social housing when they conned the snobby mugs into buying their council houses. People in council houses cannot be made to jump by market forces. Mugs like Blackadder will jump when the Treasury tells them to jump.

Come on Dunfermline, JUMP! Give your children a sub-standard education, tell them without money they are worthless, feed them junk food, fags, booze and drugs and kiss the human race goodbye. You have destroyed all your support networks and are reliant on bankers.

Extinction beckons. Just what you all deserve!

Recommend? Yes 25 No 33
Blackadder
257 posts
Aug 31, 16:49
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@triskell, That is quite a vociferous post with no clear point regarding the article in question. However, I am interested in your statement "Mugs like Blackadder will jump when the Treasury tells them to jump." Where and precisely into what, do you consider that I jumped? I take it from your tone that you disapprove of people buying a house and feel that social housing should be made available to everyone, regardless of need.

Why do you consider mortgages to be a "trap". Taking out a mortgage is a choice people undertake. Buying a a house is just that, a purchase, something one decides to make. And if you so wish, you subsequently decide that a mortgage is not for you, one can sell one's house and pay the mortgage off.

Recommend? Yes 30 No 18
BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Aug 31, 20:25
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Interesting thought about housing being a right. So, if I sell up and declare myself homeless, me and the family will get a cosy wee get-up subsidised by the taxpayer? Except because I'm not addicted to anything, underage pregnant, a re-settled offender, etc, etc, etc there's a snowball's chance in hell of that happening!

Mortgages are like any form of credit, you always pay more in the long run. Show me someone that doesn't have credit of some sort. Perhaps it's the way this credit has been unscrupulously given, rather than the principle behind it that's the root cause of many of society's problems far beyond economic recession.

Recommend? Yes 23 No 20
triskel
257 posts
Aug 31, 22:01
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Because people, (Blackadder to name but one), are dead without their house they will be tolerant of any violent act desired by the bankers, carried out by the military, applauded by the media and sanctioned by the government. They are hooked into the philosophy that SOMEBODY has to LOSE. THEY are suffering so OTHER PEOPLE should suffer too. They are trapped by debt, (£7 trillion in this country at the last count), and are only too happy to blame weak people for their woes. (See Bob THE Builder).

Being smug about getting into debt and being insensitive to other people not as tough as you is what my post is about Blackadder.

Recommend? Yes 22 No 30
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 1, 10:04
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Indeed triskell. Your opinion on the matter is duly noted.

Recommend? Yes 23 No 19
triskel
257 posts
Sep 1, 11:05
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The economy is a mess so the state will have to bomb some undeveloped country back to the stone age and exploit their natural resources otherwise Blackadder's, (and everybody else's), rate of interest on their debt will go up. That means Blackadder, (and everybody else), will JUMP!

I hear them all shout, "Bomb them! Kill them! Exploit them! Just let me live in my white man's dream home. A home I will work my ar se off to pay for........for the rest off my selfish life." That's the Trap!

Your indifference to the suffering of other people is duly noted Blackadder! You are obviously a superior type of guy. Some people are not so fortunate and it is our duty as human beings to care for them not bury our noses in The Sun etc. and criminalise them for being born.

Recommend? Yes 14 No 28
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 1, 13:38
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Indeed. Your erm... opinion noted. Again.

Recommend? Yes 22 No 4
triskel
257 posts
Sep 1, 13:51
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Unless this country murders and bombs innocent civilians you also won't come home to a real gas fire and be able to put petrol in your stinking little motor car to drive up to Mr. Asda's carpark and load up with more goodies robbed from around the world. You'll vote for any freak that promises to keep it coming.

The Trap!

Some people are happy to be in that trap. They'll gobble up the cheese even if it eventually kills them and costs the lives of millions of innocent people.

Recommend? Yes 14 No 26
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 1, 14:55
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Indeed. Sanctimonious opinion noted.

Recommend? Yes 22 No 3
triskel
257 posts
Sep 1, 17:28
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I am not being sanctimonious i.e. I am not making a show of being morally superior to you I AM morally superior to you. You are in debt and hate people who are weak and poor. You are living off the profits of war and can't even admit it. You sound like a Daily Mail reader. You should get out more. Blackadder.

Recommend? Yes 8 No 21
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 1, 17:45
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Indeed. Try making some factually correct statements triskel instead of ranting.

Recommend? Yes 20 No 1
triskel
257 posts
Sep 1, 19:51
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Are you calling me a liar? Saying I'm ranting just because you don't like what I say is infantile. It's like calling me names. What is it that you don't like about what I'm saying Blackadder? You ARE in debt and you despise poor people and weak people though you label them anti-social tenants and non-rent payers. It's the Daily Mail does that to you. And everbody knows about british imperialism, THAT'S a fact too, so keep your mouth shut about it or you'll be repossessed. Go and beat up some travellers.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 22
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 1, 21:11
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Oh dear, pot, kettle and black. It is you that doesn't like what I am saying say. But that's tough, I keep noting your opinion. If you haven't the ability to accept that other people's opinion do not have to be the same as yours, that is your problem. Or one of them.

Recommend? Yes 21 No 1
triskel
257 posts
Sep 1, 23:47
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No, I definitely don't like what you are saying. I don't like your attitude towards poor people, weak people and travelling people. If you think you can come onto internet forums and splurge hatred towards disenfranchised people just because YOU have got yourself into a load of debt by getting a mortgage for your dream house, (a dream house that the bankers could repossess at the stroke of a pen if the need arose), you should think again.

Your pithy wee cracks about pots and kettles and your infantile assumptions about people's opinions being the end of the story are witless and show you haven't got a clue. I like slapping clowns like you around, clowns that think that having a go at society's victims makes them look good. I think having a go at jerks like you makes ME look good.

Scotbox is making a sensible point. If society must have high rise flats they should only be occupied by people over 50 and have a concierge. They should not be used as a dumping ground for people who have been born poor and who have fallen through the net. A society should look after it's losers and not stigmatise them. Jokers like you, who are only too keen to enslave themselves to the bankers, need help with thinking and acting outside the box. You appear to be a guy who likes his rules and regulations, who likes things cut and dried without any frills. You probably have that protestant work ethic and think your life is dirt and that joy is a sin. You probably drink a bit as well but end up feeling more uptight than ever. Good luck.

Blackadder!

Recommend? Yes 23 No 22
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 2, 08:38
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There you go again, a post full of ranting and assumptions. You are such a hypocrite. High rise flats are ok to house over 50's, regardless of situation, but not good enough for the poor eh?

You appear to be the sort of person who thinks it's ok to riot and loot and sponge off a society you despise because everybody owes YOU a living, and why on earth should you work for it. You yearn for the sort of life that you haven't been able to achieve through graft and self sufficiency, leaching your way through life, shouting your sanctimonious opinions at people you envy, kicking out at a society that you are happy will provide for you. Your probably high on crack still but still feeling as inadequate as ever.

How does my assumption of you sound. I have to go and assess my debt now and replenish my drinks cabinet.

Recommend? Yes 17 No 0
triskel
257 posts
Sep 2, 11:00
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Yeah Blackadder. You're full of The Daily Mail. Like a rat in a trap biting it's own tail. Do you honestly think you have got where you are through dint of your own graft and self-sufficiency or that it was all handed to you on a plate for keeping your mouth shut about the injustices in the world? Sanctimonious and self-righteous are slurs that wicked people use to denigrate people who speak out against injustice. OK Blackadder? Splurge some more hate if you like. You have made it obvious who your targets are. Consider yourself slapped!

Recommend? Yes 1 No 16
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 2, 15:17
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The only person splurging hate is yourself, projecting your bitterness at your failure on others. Injustice works both ways, you try and have a think about that in your parasitic life.

I'm surprised you have succumbed to anything as capitalist as broadband, probably a tool of the trade though, along with your sky dish, and Nike tracksuit. Why do you consider travellers or anti-social people to be weak and poor, bit presumptuous isn't it and insulting towards them. You are disrespecting and mocking their existence.

How is your home paid for, you never said what the ethical method is that you have. Then again you never actually say anything, you simply rant. You have made it obvious who your targets are too. Consider yourself exposed.

Recommend? Yes 16 No 1
triskel
257 posts
Sep 2, 23:44
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That was fun. Next time you want to have a dig at "anti-social tenants and non-rent payers" or "travellers" just remember people are watching your posts and they will appear out of nowhere and give you a slap for being nasty. Now you know what it feels like to get your lifestyle attacked. One and one is two! Two and two is four! Four and four is eight! I've never paid rent in my life Blackie. Housing is a RIGHT don't you know!

Nasty nasty Blackadder.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 22
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 3, 08:27
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Ditto triskie. Funny, I don't see anyone with a similar train of thought to you. A lone loser. Next time you want to have a dig at people who are unlike your sponging self just remember people are watching your posts and will appear out of nowhere and give you a counter slap for being nasty. Now you know what it feels like to get your lifestyle attacked. One and one is two! Two and two is four! Four and four is eight! Sponging is a RIGHT don't you know!

Judgmental leach.

Recommend? Yes 19 No 0
triskel
257 posts
Sep 4, 03:30
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You haven't met anyone with a similar train of thought as me 'cos you don't get out much, that's why Blackadder. I fail to see how you equate living rent free with sponging. Prisoners live rent free. The Prime Minister lives rent free. The Queen lives rent free. I am different inasmuch I haven't been convicted of a crime and I don't have the Security Services working for me I just honestly believe in freedom and it works for me.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 17
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 4, 07:36
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Of course why didn't I see it before? You are in jail! Sorry to have to correct you again triskel but you are not living rent free but sponging off the decent taxpaying public still. You do seem a bit obsessed with getting slapped, you should see if you can you get help with that whilst inside, it'll be free to you.

Recommend? Yes 15 No 0
triskel
257 posts
Sep 4, 13:04
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People like you Blackadder, people who disdain "travellers", "prisoners", "spongers" etc. are the ones that are "obsessed" with slapping.......slapping themselves that is. You have got yourself into a lifetime of debt, (voluntarily), for your scabby wee hoose, you picture yourself working your fingers to the bone 'til the day you die to pay it off and you utterly resent anybody who can live freely with joy in their heart. You are a sad guy, I don't think you can be helped or if there is even any help available for a case like you.

Your silly wee crack about me being in jail is just that...... a silly wee crack. I told you, I haven't been convicted of any crime. Use some imagination, don't just repeat what I say. I am the one doing the slapping......YOU are the one getting slapped!

Recommend? Yes 0 No 15
beaker
80 posts
Sep 4, 14:57
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you two need to book a room.

Recommend? Yes 6 No 0
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 4, 17:43
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Triskell has one - it's called a cell.

Recommend? Yes 17 No 0
triskel
257 posts
Sep 5, 11:35
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I haven't been convicted of any crime Blackadder. I live free and easy. I'm not uptight and full of hatred for people less fortunate than me..

Recommend? Yes 0 No 12
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 5, 13:41
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Oh, I see. It's a padded cell!

Recommend? Yes 12 No 0
triskel
257 posts
Sep 5, 19:01
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No. I'm debt free, self-employed and self-motivated. I don't have an ape on my back like you sunshine. I don't take my hang-ups out on people less fortunate than myself. The more you squirm the more I'll slap you. When you've had enough of me slapping you for being nasty you will think twice about coming onto the internet and having a go at "anti-social tenants", "non-rent payers" and travellers Mr. I"ve-Got-An-Opinion-Me Blackadder.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 8
Blackadder
257 posts
Sep 5, 19:32
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Why are you defending yourself triskie? Insecure, image conscious, inferiority? Unstrapped your straight jacket again? Don't attack what you are incapable of ever overcoming, sunshine. It'll take somebody much further up the food chain than your sad case to stop me expressing a legitimate reasoned opinion. Like you count.

So from one other debt free, self employed, but clearly happier with life person to one not so, try not to be so judgemental and cock-sure, cos I don't need to slap your ugly face, life clearly has.

Recommend? Yes 12 No 0
triskel
257 posts
Sep 6, 12:30
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Slapping little people is not "expressing a legitimate reasoned opinion". Playing by the "rules" when the rules are bent in favour of a minority is exploitative. That is why you are getting slapped.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 10
******
Sep 6, 21:07
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******
Sep 7, 10:12
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Sep 7, 14:33
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Calimero
70 posts
Sep 8, 10:55
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Triskel... all I hear is you saying "housing is a right" but what way too many people really think is "sponging off the state (ie us taxpayers) is a right". We need to get peoples attitudes changed. Help more people find job search clubs, get them back to work and far away from benefits!! Too many people are of the opinion of, why work when i can get benefits and stay in bed till lunchtime every day or pretend to have back problems so they dont have to work. Its all about attitude and sheer bone-idleness!

Recommend? Yes 3 No 1
benefithater
60 posts
Sep 8, 11:48
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For the right money I would deal with the demolision personally. Probably late at night without informing any of the residents. A reduction in Buckfast sales in the area would probably cause the local off license to close down though.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 1
triskel
257 posts
Sep 8, 22:42
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That's right Calimero. Some BOOT CAMP! It didn't do you any harm did it? You probably don't like oxygen thiefs either.

The Queen and the Royal Family sponge off the taxpayer! Her armed forces sponge off the taxpayer! The Police sponge off the taxpayer? The Prison Service sponges off the taxpayer! The Arms Trade sponges off the taxpayer! The Banks sponge off the taxpayer! The NHS sponges off the taxpayer! MP's sponge off the taxpayer! Tax dodgers sponge off the taxpayer! The Taxman sponges off the taxpayer.

When The Taxman first showed his face in Scotland he got it to play with; now we've got creeps like Calimero getting into bed with the EDL. Lovely! In Calimero world only easy targets and little people get battered!

Recommend? Yes 0 No 5
triskel
257 posts
Sep 8, 22:46
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Yo, benefithater, what you are saying is that you would like to murder a lot of people you don't even know because of prejudice! The Army Careers Office is in James Street.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 2
******
Sep 9, 12:26
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triskel
257 posts
Sep 9, 18:50
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Aaaaaaw!

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
triskel
257 posts
Sep 10, 11:36
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East Port benifithater! It will make a man of you!

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
******
Sep 11, 03:34
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triskel
257 posts
Sep 15, 22:33
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Recommend? Yes 14 No 0

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