A father and son are the last remaining resident in a ghost-street scheduled for demolition.
Retired Nick Wisniewski is holding out for a 'decent offer' on his mortgage-free flat as North Lanarkshire Council prepare to flatten the area.
The 66-year-old bought his Wishaw home from the local authority more than six years ago under the Right to Buy scheme, believing he wouldn't have to worry about rent or mortgage payments, Lanarkshire Live reports.
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But after details emerged of the plan to redevelop the site and all his neighbours moved out, he now fears for the future after being offered just £35,000 to buy his flat by the council.
Nick, whose 35-year-old son lives with him, explained: "I'm in the only occupied house in the whole street and it's been that way since the end of December," he said.
"I bought my flat as I didn't want to be paying rent for the rest of my life. The council have offered me £35,000 but to buy another would cost me anything between £80,000 and £100,000 now. I've not heard from the council for nine months and the money they're offering won't buy anything these days."
Nick retired last year after working for the TSB bank for more than 20 years, explained he's not unwilling to move from his home in Stanhope Place, Gowkthrapple , he just wants enough money to start again.
North Lanarkshire Council did offer Nick alternative rented accommodation but he turned it down, insisting he shouldn't pay rent through no fault of his own.
He went on: "I went down to the Civic Centre and they showed me a two-bedroomed terraced house in Coltness and said they'd give me two years rent free. I'm retired and haven't paid rent or mortgage for years, why should I start having to pay rent again.
"The council said they can't offer me a penny more. They are talking about a Compulsory Purchase Order but that's a last resort. They've only spoken to me once. If they make me a decent offer then perhaps we could use that and my son could get us a mortgage. I'm too old for a mortgage now."
Nick also highlighted concerns about maintenance in the area now.
He added: "The height of the grass is ridiculous but at the other side of Gowkthrapple the blocks are all empty but they are still cutting it over there.
"I contacted my MSP's office a few weeks ago who got on to the council and they said they were going to cut it. I left it a week and nothing happened so I phoned back and they said they had changed their minds and weren't cutting it. The council is a law unto themselves, they don't care.
"There's no security and people could get into the empty flats. There's lots of windows been broken. Eventually they [council] started boarding the bottom two levels up. Thankfully I've never had any bother yet."
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: "We fully understand this is a sensitive issue and are working closely with the resident.
"It would not be appropriate to discuss the specific financial details, but we are working in accordance with our policies to ensure the resident receives a fair deal and to support him so that he finds suitable alternative accommodation.
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