Demolition of the Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow has started due to safety concerns, aiming to regenerate the area and combat anti-social behaviour.
Demolition work has commenced at the Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow, an abandoned housing complex commonly referred to as “Scotland’s Chernobyl,” due to its derelict state and reputation as a hotspot for urban explorers and photographers. The estate, which has been uninhabited since 1997, is undergoing this demolition after officials deemed numerous buildings unsafe.
Inverclyde Council announced that contractors acting on behalf of the council have planned the demolition of several structures within Clune Park, including a school that suffered significant fire damage in 2023 and a nearby church deemed structurally unsound. The council stated that the initial phase will see the demolition of 138 properties across 15 tenement blocks, part of a larger estate consisting of approximately 430 properties distributed across 45 blocks.
Inverclyde Council has indicated that “work to demolish parts of the Clune Park estate is due to begin.” This follows extensive investigations by council building standards officers and external surveyors, which resulted in the issuing of dangerous buildings notices. The demolition work is being carried out by Greenock-based Caskie Limited, and is expected to last around six months, commencing this month.
Stephen McCabe, Leader of Inverclyde Council, commented on the decision, stating, “It’s important to remember that the former school and church buildings and the residential properties are being demolished in the interests of safety based on professional advice following extensive investigations.” He emphasized the council’s responsibility to maintain public safety and noted that the demolitions mark a significant step toward the long-term goal of regenerating the Clune Park area.
In recent years, Clune Park has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and incidents of arson, which have accelerated the deterioration of the properties. The council has been actively acquiring properties within the estate, with over half of the estate now under its ownership. Future plans for the area include the construction of up to 165 new affordable homes for social rent, following the demolition phase.
Authorities have warned the public to remain clear of the area during demolition activities and to heed safety warnings associated with the work.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/11432/Demolition_of_notorious_Port_Glasgow_estate_to_begin.html – This article supports the claim that demolition work at Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow is underway, including the removal of a fire-gutted school and church. It highlights the safety reasons behind the demolition and the plans for future regeneration.
- https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/demolition-of-scotlands-chernobyl-due-to-begin/ – This source confirms that Clune Park is known as ‘Scotland’s Chernobyl’ and that demolition is being carried out by Caskie, with the first phase involving the school and church. It mentions the safety concerns that led to the demolition.
- https://projectscot.com/2025/04/work-to-begin-on-demolition-of-port-glasgows-clune-park-estate/ – This article details the extent of the demolition, including the total number of properties and tenement blocks involved. It also mentions the council’s efforts to acquire properties and future plans for affordable housing.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Unfortunately, this link is not directly related to the specific events described in the query about Clune Park. However, it is a source for the text provided.
- https://www.courts.michigan.gov/492eca/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/evidence/evidbb.pdf – This document does not directly corroborate any specific claims about Clune Park. It pertains to legal evidence and is unrelated to the demolition project.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The demolition work is ongoing, and specific details about contractors and timelines are current, indicating recent activity. However, the estate has been abandoned since 1997, suggesting older underlying issues.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quote from Stephen McCabe, Leader of Inverclyde Council, does not appear to be traced to an older source, but its originality cannot be confirmed without further context.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Record, a known Scottish news outlet, which generally provides reliable regional news.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The demolition plans and concerns over safety and anti-social behaviour are plausible given the context of Clune Park’s state. However, verifying specific details about future developments requires further information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
This narrative appears current and relevant, with the demolition work being a recent development. The source is reliable, and the claims are plausible. However, some specifics about quotes and future plans could not be fully verified.
