The last resident in a Lanarkshire 'ghost street' has spent thousands doing up his flat and insists he is going nowhere.
Nick Wisniewski reckons he spruced up his home at a considerable cost and fully intends to stay put, despite being threatened with a compulsory purchase order by North Lanarkshire Council.
The 67-year-old says he can't afford to buy another home with the £35,000 offered for the two-bedroomed property so far.
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The retired bank worker's home in the Gowkthrapple area of Wishaw is one of 400 earmarked for demolition. He was one of three homeowners who owned their own home, but the other two have since reached an agreement with the council.
Nick had bought his home under the now defunct Right to Buy scheme and to buy a similar-sized property in the local authority area would now cost tens of thousands of pounds more than he has been offered.
The council also offered him a tenancy for two years rent-free, but he says he bought his home in order that he wouldn't have to pay rent or a mortgage after retiring.
Nick refused the offer and claims the council hasn't been back in touch with him for over a year, despite councillors having agreed on a report to proceed with a compulsory purchase order of the property.
He explained: "I have painted the whole flat and done some wallpapering in the hall and living room.
"I put up some wood panelling in the hall, it's looking really nice.
"I had to get a new cooker too, so all in I think it costs me between £1,500 and £2,000. I'm not worried about spending money on the flat because I think I am going to be here for a while, I have still heard nothing from the council.
"At the end of last year, they said they were doing a compulsory purchase order but they haven't even notified me about it. I don't know if it was all a ploy to try and scare me into contacting them - but why should I have to get in touch with them?
"If they want me to go they need to get in touch with me.
"The last time I spoke to anyone from the council about it was November 2021, it's absolutely shocking."
All other residents living on the estate moved out over a year ago but that doesn't bother Nick, While he is prepared to stay as long as he possibly can, he has noticed a downturn in the state of the neighbourhood with rubbish being dumped, overgrown grass and his close landings left in darkness.
He continued: "At the other side of the car park area a huge pile of rubble has appeared and people have just started dumping their rubbish there now. I have no idea where it came from but it's an eyesore.
"I think people think no one lives here anymore and have just started using it as a dumping ground, it's like a s**t tip. I am on the bottom floor but up the stairs is in total darkness now, there are no lights on anymore.
"The grass is overgrown, it all looks terrible. I can't understand the council's rhyme or reason for anything they do."
Nick believes there is still room for the council to reach an agreement with him but with increases in property prices and the cost of living, the initial offer made to him would need to be reassessed.
"I am assuming the council are holding off until they build the new bungalows and maybe they will offer me one of them," he added.
"They initially said they would give me two years rent-free, but I would want more than that now. If they are offering me money for the flat it would need to be near the £100,000 mark now - prices have gone up, and everything is more expensive now."
North Lanarkshire Council has been approached for comment.
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