Last man on ‘Britain’s loneliest avenue’ vows to remain regardless of demolition menace
The “last man standing” on a council estate earmarked for demolition has vowed to stay.
Retired bank worker, Nick Wisnewski, 68 has been the only resident living on the ghostly Stanhope Place for the past three years which has been dubbed “Britain’s loneliest street.”
The estate is set to be demolished to make way for 300 new homes, but Nick’s defiance has led to the council starting legal proceedings to kick him out.
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The buildings in Wishaw in Scotland once contained around 200 residents in 128 flats and are set to be demolished as part of a regeneration project.
(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)
But Nick says their offers to buy him out haven’t been good enough for him to give up his home – and he won’t budge.
North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee has now agreed to push for a compulsory planning order on his flat so the redevelopment can go ahead.
But Nick told the Daily Record: “I’m sticking it out until I hear from the council.”
Nick bought his flat in 2017 under the Right to Buy scheme which helped council tenants buy their homes at a discounted price.
He has been offered £35,000 for the flat – but says that’s not enough to buy another home.
(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)
He says that despite being the last person remaining, he has no plans to move.
Speaking previously, he said: “The last person left in December, it’s like a ghost town now.
“It’s so quiet and strange being the only person living here.
“I’m used to it now, but it can get lonely, there is no one to speak to.”
He added: “When people left they just dumped old cookers, mattresses, washing machine outside, it was a mess.
(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)
“The council just left the flats lying empty after people moved out.
“There is no security and people could get into the empty flats and lots of windows have been broken.
“Thankfully I haven’t had any trouble. The grass is badly overgrown, it’s ridiculous.”
He added: “I think the council are leaving it unkept to annoy me or in the hope I get fed up and leave.
“They offered me £35,000 for my flat and two years’ rent free somewhere else.
(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)
“But I am not prepared to start paying rent again and £35,000 is not enough to buy somewhere new.
“You’re talking £80,000 to £100,000 to get somewhere new. I’m worried that I don’t know where I am going to end up living.
“I didn’t work all my life to have my home taken from me when I am too old to get a mortgage on something else.
“It would be so hard to leave my home.”
A representative from North Lanarkshire Council’s planning and regeneration department said there would be “appropriate compensation” for Nick, adding that “The council will continue to try to negotiate with him for voluntary acquisition in parallel with the CPO process.”
They previously said: “We fully understand this is a sensitive issue and are working closely with the resident.
“It would not be appropriate to discuss the specific financial details, but we are working in accordance with our policies to ensure the resident receives a fair deal and to support him so that he finds suitable alternative accommodation.”
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