A 70-year-old resident of a crumbling Scottish housing estate dubbed 'Britain's Chernobyl' has refused to move, despite the area being slated for demolition. Marshal Craig, a retired forestry worker, is one of only five residents remaining at Clune Park in Inverclyde, where 430 flats have been largely abandoned since 1997.
Craig described the estate as 'idyllic' and said he is 'perfectly happy' living there. 'My house is built like a castle. The walls are thick and sturdy, there's a nice view and no dampness,' he said. The estate, built in 1905, once housed shipyard workers but fell into decline after they moved out in the late 1990s. In 2020, a flat sold for as little as £6,000.
Inverclyde Council plans to demolish the entire site and build 100-120 new homes. The council obtained a compulsory purchase order in January to acquire the remaining properties. However, Craig remains defiant: 'I think I'll be tying myself to the radiator if they make me move out.'
The estate has been plagued by anti-social behaviour, arson, and vandalism. Craig said he calls the fire brigade frequently but has become accustomed to the disturbances. 'It's just part of the background now,' he added.
A council spokesperson said: 'It remains our ambition to acquire properties at Clune Park to allow for the delivery of long term regeneration of the area. While progress has been frustratingly slow and costly, the ambition still remains.'
