THE last-ever residents of the notorious tower blocks originally planned for demolition during the Commonwealth Games will leave their homes in the coming weeks.
Around 200 asylum seekers will move out of the Red Road flats in north Glasgow by the end of the year, bringing to an end nearly five decades of life in what are often billed as Europe's one-time highest tower blocks.
Those living in the tower block are either failed asylum seekers or are going through the process of claiming asylum, with many from Africa, parts of the Middle East and Kosovo.
At present, there are more than 3,000 asylum seekers living in supported accommodation throughout Glasgow.
The move has again fuelled speculation as to when the tower blocks will be pulled down. All but the block still in use had been earmarked for demolition as part of the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games but the plans were pulled after a campaign which lasted several weeks and received global media attention.
One concern was the perception sent to the Commonwealth of the standard of properties in which Glasgow houses asylum.
The asylum seekers still living in the block in Petershill Drive will be housed temporarily in a hostel in Glasgow city centre until new accommodation is ready.
Plans have been submitted to Glasgow City Council to develop the former Scottish Water property in Balmore Drive, in the Possil area.
The proposal would see the offices provide temporary accommodation, normally for a maximum of three weeks to asylum seekers during their initial assessment period, and would house a combination of families and individuals in self-catering accommodation while the first screening process takes place.
A planning application for the site states: "This is the first experience of Glasgow and we want it to be positive. The service users arrive in Glasgow often alone and feeling extremely vulnerable. The short time in Initial Accommodation provides an opportunity to meet and develop friendships with others in similar circumstances.
"It is intended to provide them with the tools to equip them for more independent living in Dispersed Accommodation after the initial phase."
Built in the 1960s to alleviate squalid living conditions and overcrowding in the city's slums, the Red Road flats were designed to house almost 5,000 people. But the buildings fell into decline over the decades, becoming synonymous with crime and urban decay.
Over the years, families were moved out of the flats. But one 31-floor building, 63 Petershill Drive, remained occupied and housed up to 670 asylum-seeking families at any one time.
Conditions on Red Road came under scrutiny after a number of suicides among residents, including Serge and Tatiana Serykh, and Tatiana Serykh's adult son, who leapt from the balcony of their flat in 2010 after their claim for refugee status was refused.
Glasgow Housing Association, which owns the properties, said recently it was "continuing to work with our demolition contractor, other partners and the surrounding community to finalise a date for the demolitions to take place".
A Home Office spokesman said: "The contract for Petershill Drive to be used for housing provision comes to an end later this year. Our accommodation provider has identified an alternative location for asylum seekers and we are working with them, local partners and Glasgow City Council.
"Our housing providers have a duty to supply accommodation to an agreed standard and the Home Office has robust mechanisms to monitor standards."
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