Blocks to be knocked down as part of Touch redevelopment

Properties at 22-152 Law Road and 2-24 and 70-100 at Henryson Road will be bulldozed from the Autumn of 2027, albeit this date depends on all existing occupants being rehoused by then.

After previous attempts to improve the flats failed to have the "desired effect", the council decided that knocking them down and starting again was the best way forward.

Area housing manager Lynne Johnston said: "Carrying out refurbishment works in Law Road and Henryson Road will not provide the wholesale change that's required in Touch.

"Redevelopment will provide an opportunity to re-shape the estate and design a better place to live for future tenants.

Plans to demolish flats in Law Road in Touch have been approved by he City of Dunfermline area committee. (Image: Google Maps)

"While the demolition of 94 properties will undoubtedly have an impact on housing supply in the short term, the replacement units will provide a more suitable, desirable and energy efficient product fit for the longer term and the needs of the community."

It's the first phase in a 10-year regeneration plan for the Dunfermline estate, the second phase is likely to include the demolition of 74 flats across eight blocks at Gilfillan Road and Peirson Road.

Ms Johnston told the City of Dunfermline area committee that these properties are "currently in slightly better condition".

The homes to be demolished are spread across 11 blocks and out of the 94 flats, 18 are privately owned and eight are being used for temporary accommodation.

Community engagement was carried out over the summer and the committee was told that "most" of the responses are in favour of the proposals.

Affected tenants will be transferred to "suitable alternative accommodation" and will receive a "disturbance allowance" of £1,000 and a home loss payment of £1,500.

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Committee approval was also given to buy back the 18 privately owned flats with owners entitled to rehousing and a financial compensation package when the council buy back their property.

Rehousing existing tenants and residents is "anticipated to take approximately three years" with most of the occupants wanting to stay in the Dunfermline area.

Ms Johnston admitted that turnover in the city was "generally low" but said that a number of new-build developments are planned or underway.

On the need for redevelopment, she explained there were "complex issues" across the estate and it had long been accepted that substantial improvements to the housing stock were needed.

Cllr James Calder said they can now look forward to reshaping the estate from its centre by designing more suitable, desirable and energy-efficient homes.

She continued: "Over the past 20 years some areas within Touch have been known for high instances of anti-social behaviour.

"A review of the community action plan in 2021 flagged up concerns around community safety, poor building conditions and vandalism."

Committee convener, Cllr James Calder, said: "We’ve considered various options for Touch over recent years.

"The rising costs of the major work needed to make improvements to the current housing stock, means it's no longer financially viable."

A pilot project agreed in 2018 for two blocks on Gilfillan Road saw bin stores improved, screens replaced, lock-ups demolished, stairwells redecorated, repairs to concrete and new security doors and entry systems installed.

The works cost £430,000 - around £20,000 per property - but Ms Johnston added: "A subsequent review of the tenants living in these blocks did not show high satisfaction levels with the work carried out unfortunately.

"This indicated to us that replicating this work throughout the estate would not improve the area as we had hoped."

She said estimated costs for similar works had doubled to around £43,000 per property and as it would be classed as improvements "we would require 100 per cent of owners to contribute their share".

Ms Johnston added: "We anticipate this would be unlikely as the properties are worth approximately £70,000."