A woman forced to leave her condemned flat has hit out at the “special treatment” being given to a neighbour who refuses to move out.
Nick Wisniewski, 68, is the last resident in a council housing scheme due to be demolished.
Last week the Record revealed North Lanarkshire Council is taking legal action after the retired bank worker refused its offers of compensation.
The authority is knocking down 428 flats in Gowkthrapple, Wishaw, and replacing them with 300 new homes.
Nick has been living alone in a derelict four-storey block for the last three years.
He’s refused a £40,000 offer from the council, saying he wouldn’t be able to buy another flat for that price.
Councillors have now agreed to promote a compulsory purchase order for his property.
But head of planning and regeneration Pamela Humphries said talks with Nick will continue and pledged he will be given “appropriate compensation”.
That has angered Pauline Boyd, one of two other owner-occupiers who were asked to sell back flats they had bought from the council under right to buy legislation.
She said she accepted an offer of just £26,000 – the market value of her flat – and a new rented council home as she couldn’t afford to buy another property.
Pauline, 55, said: “I have every sympathy with Nick but the council is treating him as a special case and that’s not fair.
“I moved out during the Covid lockdown in 2020. The council steamrollered it through – they couldn’t get me out quickly enough.
“To be honest, I felt bullied by them. I was struggling to get a removal firm during lockdown and at one point went to the charity Shelter for help.
“That was my home for 25 years and I was devastated to leave.
“I was unemployed and an extra few thousand pounds from the council would have helped.
“Nick has been offered a lot more than I was for a two-bedroom flat just like mine.
“When I moved the council gave the impression it was clearing the estate fast so it could start the demolition.
“That was four years ago and demolition still hasn’t begun. How much has that delay cost the council?”
North Lanarkshire Council defended its handling of the situation.
A spokesman said: “The agreements with owners were reached in accordance with our policies and based on the market value of each property.
“The aim is to ensure each person receives a fair deal that enables them to resettle in suitable alternative accommodation.”
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