River Clyde Homes said it will “stand shoulder-to-shoulder” with Inverclyde Council in its efforts to regenerate a rundown Port Glasgow housing estate after a judge ruled against the council’s demolition plans.

The 430 tenement flats on the Clune Park estate, all of which are in private ownership, were identified by the council as its highest priority for investment due to the degraded condition of the housing stock.

River Clyde Homes said it has long supported the council’s plans to demolish all flats to allow progress to be made in regenerating the area and therefore shares the council’s disappointment at the recent judgement from Sheriff Derek Hamilton over six appeals against the demolition of substandard properties.

River Clyde Homes’ chief executive, Kevin Scarlett, said: “I hope this decision by the sheriff does not mark the end of the Council’s commitment to resolve the appalling housing conditions that exist within the estate. Of the 430 tenement flats, all of which are in private ownership, less than 100 are let to tenants by private landlords and the rest are empty.”

He added: “Everyone deserves to live in a home that not only meets; but exceeds the requirements of the tolerable standard. River Clyde Homes is a partner in the vision to create a thriving and resilient future for Inverclyde. We will, by spring of next year, have achieved the Scottish Housing Quality Standard for all our own properties: an initiative that has seen our housing stock radically transformed for the better.

“We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the council in its efforts to safeguard the future regeneration of this key gateway to Inverclyde and ensure better lives for the community.”