GLASGOW City Council has been granted a compulsory purchase order to take over a block of fire-damaged flat in Priesthill.

The Scottish Government confirmed that a compulsory purchases order has been granted to the council after they applied to takeover the building at 40 Ravenscraig Drive in 2019.

When granted, a compulsory purchase order (CPO) allows for a public body to takeover a building without the consent of owners.

The block of flats was deemed "uninhabitable" after a fire hit the building in October 2016.

Glasgow City Council will work with Rosehill Housing Co-operative to bring the building up-to-scratch and provide social housing in the area.

Speaking previously, Richard Brown, former executive director of regeneration and the economy at Glasgow City Council said:

“The building was the subject of fire damage and residents in all of the flats were evacuated as a result. The properties are presently uninhabitable and the close is boarded up.

"Essential repairs will be carried out to the common areas of the building and all of the flats will be the subject of internal refurbishment works and let for social rent.

“By obtaining full ownership of the building, this will allow Rosehill Housing Co-operative to take on the factoring of the property.”

Rosehill Housing Co-operative will take control of the factoring of the building, and oversee repairs that will allow for the building to be restored to a habitable state.

In their confirmation letter, a representative for the Scottish Government said: "Scottish Ministers consider that the compulsory acquisition of Flats 0/2 and 1/1, 40 Ravenscraig Drive, Glasgow is necessary in order to return these long-term empty flats back to the community, thereby stopping the detrimental impact on neighbouring properties and providing much needed social rented housing accommodation in the area. It is believed this would have a positive impact on all nearby residents and the local community and would also be in line with local strategies."