Last week something remarkable happened in Scotland. It’s the sort of news story that spreads quickly, engages and demands comment.
A house was put on sale for £1. Actually it’s a flat, in Airdrie, with a communal garden and on street parking.
It’s not the first time that homes have gone on sale for less than the cost of a Mars bar and a can of Tizer. In Liverpool not so long ago there were a number of them. But the pound there had come with an undertaking to pay a considerable whack for renovation. Like buying a bust company for a pound and taking on the associated debt. It was a canny means of rejuvenating areas and preserving some handsome Victorian streets. This sort of thinking led to the Turner Prize for a Liverpool street scheme.
The Airdrie flat won’t be winning the Turner Prize. Unless the KLF torch it. And in case of furious letters – I’m not advocating this!
Sticking plasters are applied, perhaps a few houses are thrown up, but there are no meaningful breakthroughs
It is significant, however, because again this focuses thoughts on home and housing. During recent election campaigns politicians talked a lot about housing. In London where the overheated market is of key concern, big numbers for new builds were bandied about.
Which is lovely, but doesn’t really get us anywhere. Mostly because such comments are meat and drink during the campaign, but in the aftermath analysis always moves to discussions about what the outcome means for political parties NOT for the electorate. And so, those new representatives excitedly head to their offices saying platitudinous things about serving the people, then realise the limits of their power and purse. Sticking plasters are applied, perhaps a few houses are thrown up, but there are no meaningful breakthroughs.
