PRESS RELEASE

Cumbernauld homes study commissioned	7th September 2001
A study has been commissioned to look at a range of options for the future of flats in two Cumbernauld streets. The move comes as the results of a structural survey on the condition of flats in Ainslie Road and Maclehose Road in the Kildrum area of the town were published. National housing agency, Scottish Homes, has been working with other owners in the two streets since an earlier structural survey revealed serious defects in concrete floor slabs in some properties. The earlier survey referred only to six blocks of flats where Scottish Homes owned properties. The most recent survey looked at other blocks – mostly owner-occupied – of the same construction in the Ainslie and Maclehose Road area. The extended structural survey results have now been sent out to homeowners. The results show the blocks share similar problems. Now an Options Study – co-funded by Scottish Homes, North Lanarkshire Council and contributions from owners – has been commissioned. This will investigate a number of possible future solutions to the problems in the neighbourhood. Ainslie Maclehose Action Group (AMAG) chairperson, Beth Kelso, said: “The results of the extended structural survey reveal what we suspected – that all the blocks in Ainslie and Maclehose Roads share the same problems as the six originally surveyed. “We are now inviting homeowners to come along to an information evening on September 19 to find out more about the structural survey and the Options Study.” Scottish Homes South and West Operations Director, Jennie Hynd, added: “As the owner of 11 properties, we are committed to working with residents on how best to move forward in Ainslie Road and Maclehose Road. “The Options Study will look at a range of possible courses of action and the information evening will be the ideal forum for residents to find out more about the study and raise any questions they may have.” The information evening is being held on Wednesday 19 September at 7pm in Sacred Heart Church, Kildrum. Note to editors: The 108 flats affected (18 closes in 7 blocks) were built in the 1960s by Cumbernauld Development Corporation. By 1996, when the Development Corporation was being wound up, 97 of the flats had passed into private ownership. The 11 flats which had not been sold under Right to Buy were acquired by Scottish Homes. Beth Kelso Chairperson, Ainslie Maclehose Action Group (AMAG) Tel: 01236 613257
Anne Graham Tel: 0131 479 5167