Fife Council’s Cowdenbeath area committee is due to consider a report from the council’s head of housing on Wednesday which will signal the beginning of the end for the properties at 101-147 Martin Crescent in Ballingry and will start the process of transferring existing tenants to other accommodation on a priority basis.

The block has been the scene of some serious incidents of anti-social behaviour and properties are frequently targeted by vandals, The Courier reports.

In his report to councillors, head of housing John Mills said the housing service’s view is that the “only viable” option is to take the block out of housing management and transfer all existing tenants to more suitable accommodation.

“There is a historical stigma attached to this block,” he said. “It is known locally as an undesirable place to live. There is a concern that any significant investment in the block would not be effective as it would be extremely difficult to regenerate due to the stigma and the ongoing issues highlighted in this report.

“The area housing team invest a significant amount of time attempting to respond to complaints from tenants but despite these efforts continuing, the officer time and ongoing costs cannot be sustained indefinitely.

“The constant turnover of properties resulting in failed tenancies indicates that the block is not suitable for tenants looking for settled accommodation and is not financially viable.”

Councillors will be asked to agree to suspend all housing allocations and approve the demolition of the block once it is emptied.

The properties in block 101-147 Martin Crescent consist of 12 lower ground one-bedroom flats and 12 upper-level two-bedroom maisonettes.

Out of the 24 properties, 22 are in housing management by the area housing team and two properties are currently used as temporary accommodation allocations and are managed by Fife Council’s homeless team. Four are currently vacant.

Tenants being allocated another property will be offered a compensation package consisting of a disturbance payment and a home loss payment.