A Scotsman's ex-council flat is his castle

[Gordon Bennett]

These disputes where a resident refuses to leave their gaff when the council or a developer want to demolish an area fascinate me.

BBC News - Last resident in doomed Wishaw flats refuses to leave
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I remember those old sisters next to Anfield who wouldn't shift when LFC bought up the whole street in order to build a big stand. There's that farm in the central reservation of the M62 cos farmer wouldn't budge too.

Normally I tend to think the individual should belt up and move. I can accept trying to weedle a better deal out of the situation but at some point they need to think about the stress and grief they're causing themselves. However, this chap's "demands" seem quite fair and reasonable so I'm tending to support his stance.

I suppose this case is exacerbated by fact it's a "mixed economy" block of council properties and private property that was bought under Right to Buy.

[Squire Haggard]

There's an interview with him at 15.50 on this link, which expires tonight at 7pm.

He owns the property, but says the £35,000 offer is not enough to let him buy another property. He's turned down other rented places from the council. If he doesn't move they will make a compulsory purchase order. It must be a strange feeling when everyone around you has left. I hope that he finds a good place, with the council's offer of two years rent free.

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[Blackpool Rock]

There used to be 3 tower blocks in Blackpool (These were the only tower blocks thankfully) called the Queens park estate, the place was a total shithole by all accounts but there were still people protesting against their demolition.
I remember when they were demolished that people went to see them fall, my mate text me saying it was at X time so I went down to watch but it was delayed as some twat had got on site protesting about it.

I do agree that it must be hard if you have lived somewhere for a long time and have memories of the place and it doesn't sound like he's being offered much but then again if the place wasn't worth much 
I also don't think it's right to only offer market value and they should have to pay say market value + 50%, as pointed out they will be making money from whatever the next venture is.

Just on the farm in the middle of the M62 that's actually an urban myth which you; I and almost everyone else thinks / thought was true however there was a program about 5 years ago which included interviews with the farmer and also road construction people.
Apparently it wasn't that he wouldn't leave but it was something to do with the lay of the land meaning they couldn't put 6 lanes parallel to each other so had to split them and the best way to do it was 3 either side of the farmhouse

[catweazle]

The M62 farm ("the little house on the prairie ") was indeed left in situ not because  of an obstinate  owner, but because its built on a geological fault,  which meant the motorway  and its resultant heavy traffic would be unstable.

[King Nuts]

The M62 farm ("the little house on the prairie ") was indeed left in situ not because  of an obstinate  owner, but because its built on a geological fault,  which meant the motorway  and its resultant heavy traffic would be unstable.

I've driven past that many times in the past, and was always intrigued by it. I used to call it the Defiant House.

[catweazle]

The sisters  who refused to sell up,  were Joan and Nora  Mason  They stood their ground for 10 years, while every other house on Kemlyn Road was demolished.  They eventually  did  sell up  and retire to Southport, and what is now the Sir Kenny Daglish stand was extended over their land.

[lillythesavage]

About 10 years ago a friend went through this, an ex council house they had purchased, refused the offers as not enough, all the council tenants had gone, others had cashed in, they were just about the last.

Went on holiday and came home to find a flooded home, thieves had nicked all the copper and boilers from the empty properties and there was no one to report it, fixed it with insurance money and still held out, while looking for somewhere to buy within the offer, but refusing to leave the area which others had done to make it work.

They are still there today  , and all the other houses were fixed up and let by the council, a change of plans meant it was all for nothing.

[MissWolf]

If the council are redeveloping the site into new housing then I'd be negotiating with them not for money but for one of the new apartments (cos we know they won't be called flats anymore)

They could house him on a low or no rent for the duration of the development and then he could move into a new home when it's completed,  win win

[lillythesavage]

If the council are redeveloping the site into new housing then I'd be negotiating with them not for money but for one of the new apartments (cos we know they won't be called flats anymore)

They could house him on a low or no rent for the duration of the development and then he could move into a new home when it's completed,  win win

If only it was that simple, we are talking councils  , they are not the ones that own the new developments, that is housing associations.

Why would you want a leasehold apartment or flat  , when you have a freehold house, with a garden front and rear and your own shed   

[Matrix]

Edinburgh council(lors) bought up a lot of property in the old red light district then promptly moved it elsewhere, to where people had to pay market value for their properties. Yielded well over a 30% return, in a very short period. Great work if you can get it.   

[David1970]

Some one who would not be bullied or bought by the rich and powerful, politicians and the government, got to admire the him.
I like it that the public bought tiny pieces of this man’s land to frustrate Trumps legal action.

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[DrGFreeman]

I have some sympathy for the guy if the 35k the council are offering doesn't buy an equivalent flat in the area
He seem to be holding out for an upgrade though

[lillythesavage]

I have some sympathy for the guy if the 35k the council are offering doesn't buy an equivalent flat in the area
He seem to be holding out for an upgrade though

35k would not cover a deposit in lots of places, not just London.

Retirement to a flat in Scotland sounds like a plan