Ayr residents hit out at ‘harrowing’ living conditions in flats they want ‘knocked down’ – Daily Record

An Ayrshire community is in turmoil with furious residents saying they have been forgotten.

Wallacetown in Ayr has been plagued with problems for years with those who stay there calling for urgent action.

Now community leaders have issued a damning statement of “harrowing” and “intolerable” living conditions, as they call for the flats, known locally as White City, to be flattened.

Chair of Fort Seafield Wallacetown Community Council Norman McLean has called for urgent investment and resources to be ploughed into dealing with “chronic” issues.

It comes after we told of horror flats within the community, with residents at a block on MacAdam Square having to deal with horrendous scenes of drug use at their front door.

But Norman has accused South Ayrshire Council of turning a blind eye to “rampant” drug abuse and anti-social behaviour.

The community councillor told Ayrshire Live: “It is reported in the national press that Wallacetown is one of the most deprived areas in Scotland.

“Drug abuse and anti-social behaviour are rampant and require a continuation of multi-service action as an immediate priority, prior to substantial investment being made in the entire area. The general environment created by poor maintenance and lack of investment makes the above behaviour inevitable.

“The chronic issues appear to have been side-stepped by officials and the administration for years in that there has been no material improvement that is in any way apparent.”

In February 2020, Wallacetown was regarded as the 22nd most deprived area in Scotland which was revealed by The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Norman feels council chiefs should prioritise Wallacetown to ensure it is liveable for tenants.

He added: “The council should use the same zeal to address the Wallacetown issues. This misdirection of resources must be challenged as it cannot be right.”

Resident of Wallacetown and community councillor Alison Logan stays in a block of flats on MacAdam Place.

In the four years she has stayed there, the 54-year-old has dealt with having no buzzer or secured entry to her flat.