A FLAT which has been lying empty for 14 years is to be taken over by the council in a compulsory purchase order.

The ground floor flat in Clifford Street in Govan will be transferred to Govan Housing Association, if the purchase order goes through.

No-one has lived in the flat since 2008, when Gordon Strachan was Celtic manager, Walter Smith was in charge at Rangers, Gordon Brown was UK Prime Minister and Alex Salmond was just one year into his time as First Minister of Scotland.

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The council has moved to buy the flat to secure the tenement building to allow maintenance to go ahead.

In a report on the property, councillors have been told: “Family members have been traced however they have confirmed they do not wish to pursue their interest in the property. 

“The council is seeking similar confirmation from the Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer. 

“Considerable repair works have been required to this pre-1919 tenement with significant investment contributed by other owners and supported by the council. 
“This empty property puts at risk the future maintenance of the block.”

Another flat in Westmoreland Street, in Govanhill, has been empty for more than three years and is to be taken over and transferred to Govanhill Housing 
Association.

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The owner has ignored orders to make repairs and improvements to the property.

The second floor flat failed to meet the tolerable standard for housing and no repairs have been carried out since a Closing Order was served. 

The council said it had to secure the flat in November 2018 to prevent illegal occupation.

Govanhill Housing Association has offered to buy the flat on a voluntary basis, but the owner has refused to sell. 

The landlord was removed from the private landlord register in June 2012 and the property remains unregistered.

The council says the two residential properties are identified on the council tax register as long-term empty homes. 

The flats are considered to be priorities for intervention because they are “lying in a state of disrepair, causing environmental blight in the local area, and/or hindering repair and maintenance of the blocks”.