Broomhead flats set to survive

Published 6 Jan 2012 08:35 11 Comments

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THE crumbling Broomhead Drive high-rise flats in Dunfermline, plagued by anti-social behaviour, are set to be saved from demolition.

Knocking down the 50-year-old flats had been one suggestion following concerns about their crumbling condition.

There are 216 homes in the three blocks but only 31 households responded to a council survey to find out what residents would like to see happen in future.

A report to the housing and communities committee on Tuesday recommends retaining the three blocks and spending £5.1 million on improvements.

The officer's report states, "The rates of turnover and refusal are higher than average. There are management issues associated with the estate including incidences of anti-social behaviour leading to a high number of requests for outward transfers."

It adds, "The condition of the Broomhead Drive blocks is of concern. In particular, the external walls, balconies and stairwells have deteriorated in recent years and require remedial work.

"There are wider physical and environmental issues around common access, lighting, security, parking arrangements and bin stores."

Five options were considered with costs ranging from £5.1m (option one) to £16m and the cheapest is the one being recommended.

The most expensive option was the replacement of the three blocks with the creation of 160 new homes.

Of the 31 households who took part in the consultation, 24 preferred option one.

The majority of those expressing interest in option one were "satisfied with their flats internally but disliked the estate and the behaviour of a minority of individuals living on the estate".

The report concludes, "Taking into account the current strategic context, the most appropriate solution for the flats at Broomhead Drive is to improve the blocks and deliver more focused housing management solutions.

"A package of physical and management improvements could make the flats fit for purpose and sustainable over a 30-year business period, improve their status within the wider community and improve levels of satisfaction for tenants living within the blocks."

In October, the Press reported balconies were being blocked off after a potentially horrific incident which saw a large panel, blown off a seventh-floor railing in high winds, come crashing to the ground.

A programme had been started by Fife Council to remove cracking and crumbling concrete to prevent chunks falling from the 12-storey tower-blocks.

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Dare818
3 posts
Jan 6, 16:20
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5.1 million of tax payers money to do up some flats where half of the residents are most likely on benefits? where is the logical in that. Glad to know my money is being well spent, nice one Fife Council.

Recommend? Yes 42 No 14
DunfermlineEast
137 posts
Jan 6, 17:02
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Demolition and removal of debris to landfill will cost less than £500K. Knock the slum in the sky down and sell the land to housing associations to develop. The fact that hardly any resident even bothered to reply to the council shows the apathy of the residents. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Recommend? Yes 62 No 6
******
Jan 7, 00:39
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SteveJobs
1 post
Jan 7, 09:51
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This is a very short sighted decision. Look at the fabulous new homes currently being built at Kincardine on the old high flat site. Broomhead flats should be demolished and a housing association should be invited to develop the land for new highly insulated, sustainable family homes that residents can be proud of. Renovation of stair ways, bin stores and car parking is a sticking plaster that will fall off in 5 years time and look as bad as it does now. You can polish a turd but its still a turd.

Recommend? Yes 64 No 2
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Jan 7, 11:45
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Jan 7, 12:27
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Jan 7, 14:56
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Jan 7, 16:07
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Jan 7, 17:24
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Jan 7, 17:24
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Jan 7, 18:55
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Jan 7, 19:00
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Jan 7, 19:28
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DunfermlineEast
137 posts
Jan 7, 19:41
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How amusing. I mention flats, so unpopular that the people living there do not even bother to reply to plans on its future should be demolished and replaced with housing association houses and one is called names. Throwing over £5millions pounds at unpopular flats is just wasting money, something that socialists like you Triskell know how to do well. You like people being benefit junkies so that they can become dependent on you and you feel bigger by being the social worker. All you have done is create a subculture of people living off benefits with no interest in working, looking after themselves or even their own neighbourhoods. This is exemplified by this article. The area and people can be improved by building houses - not high rise flats - that will give people a little pride in their area and help them socially.

I had hoped that your rantings here would stop, good riddance to mad rantings, but you have got a new email and created a new account, as the editors here banned you. How quickly will they act with your new account?

Recommend? Yes 45 No 1
******
Jan 7, 20:09
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Jan 7, 20:28
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Jan 7, 20:47
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Jan 7, 20:55
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Jayc182
62 posts
Jan 8, 23:47
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How amusing, instead of a serious credible opinions on this story .....we get an argument between a couple of idiots.

I don't agree with spending the money on the flat's, isn't this a council who has a budget deficit of over £100 million?

Lets be honest, hardly anyone wants to live there, and £5 million these days wont do much for the place. The money would be better spent elsewhere.

Recommend? Yes 19 No 31
Scotbox
18 posts
Jan 9, 10:24
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My Parents were first tenants and the flats had mould issues even then.

You could - probably can, still hear everything going on around your flat from 3 or 4 flats up or an the way.

No children should be living in these flats, make them into an are which is well conserved for senior citizens.

Recommend? Yes 7 No 30
******
Jan 9, 11:01
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SmarmyGit
316 posts
Jan 9, 18:27
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Good grief the mods have went post delete crazy, can't see what was wrong with my post, just giving bunnyboiler some advice.......

Recommend? Yes 7 No 8
RigPig
53 posts
Jan 11, 18:04
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How much revenue does Fife council get from these blocks? Im betting not a lot so pull them down and spend the money on a more worthwhile cause instead of throwing money at a problem in the hope that it goes away. It wont and youll be back to square one in no time wondering how much more money needs to be spent.

Recommend? Yes 7 No 1
samrat1
1 post
Jan 11, 20:50
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Not everyone who lives in these flats is unemployed some people pay full rent and council tax

Having said that as a resident I can agree and did vote against a waste of 5.1 million pounds of tax payers money (of which I am one ) and voted for demolition

As usual a short term measure has been chosen by obviously people who do not live here

and no way will what is proposed be a solution for the next 30yrs and I can only surmise if that is the plan then the flats will either fall down or become even more unsightly than they already are

Recommend? Yes 13 No 1
DrewCarnegie
65 posts
Jan 13, 20:00
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Approx £20k refurb per flat, hope they enjoy the Axminster carpets

Recommend? Yes 4 No 1
cameronsdemise
33 posts
Jan 18, 04:45
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Am I right in thinking wullie Rennie is the local MP for the toon ? That's the guy who said he would have the olympic rings on his roof in kelty ! Who are the halfwitt councillors involved in this unthinkable disaster anyway ? Same old, same old noses in the trough I bet ! Pull the things down , complete waste of money and so is the council by the way .

Recommend? Yes 2 No 1
******
Jan 19, 23:06
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Jan 19, 23:14
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