Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Topics: UK News
Jake Massey
The last man living on 'Britain's loneliest street' is refusing to move out - despite the fact it's all due to be knocked down. Watch here:
Nick Wisniewski lives in Stanhope Place in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, all by himself.
There are no neighbours in the 128 flats around him, with the last of around 200 residents moving out in December.
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All eight blocks are scheduled for demolition, and Nick - who retired last year - claims council officials have offered him £35,000 plus two years' rent somewhere else if he moves; but the former bank worker refuses to be bought.
"When people left they just dumped old cookers, mattresses, washing machine outside, it was a mess," the 66-year-old said.
"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.
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"The grass is badly overgrown, it's ridiculous. I think the council are leaving it unkept to annoy me or in the hope I get fed up and leave."
Nick won't leave though, because despite feeling lonely at times in the 'ghost town', he's determined not to go back to renting.
He bought his flat in 2017 under the Right to Buy scheme, which helped council tenants buy their homes at a discounted price.
Council chiefs offered Nick alternative accommodation in a terraced house for two years rent free, but he turned it down.
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He explained: "They offered me £35,000 for my flat and two years' rent free somewhere else. 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."
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A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council 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."