Last person living on ‘Britain’s loneliest street’ refuses to leave council flat

A retired bank worker is embroiled in a stand-off with his local council over his refusal to leave his flat on “Britain’s loneliest street”.

Nick Wisniewski, 66, is the last person living in Stanhope Place after hundreds of neighbours moved out of their homes in December ahead of scheduled demolition work.

Eight blocks of flats and other homes on the street in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, are set to be knocked down as part of plans to redevelop the area.

But Mr Wisniewski refuses to leave - despite the council’s attempts to buy him out. He claims officials have offered him £35,000 plus two years’ rent somewhere else if he moves.

He said the area used to be packed with 200 people. But it now lies abandoned and overgrown with empty properties boarded up.

Mr Wisniewski claims North Lanarkshire Council’s offer would not be enough to buy somewhere else. As a retired TSB bank worker, he said he is not in a position to buy anywhere else and is too old to get a mortgage.

“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. There are eight blocks each with 16 flats in them - there used to be roughly be 200 people here and you would struggle to get a parking space.

“Now I am the only one left.”

Mr Wisniewski 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 Mr Wisniewski alternative accommodation in a terraced house for two years rent free which he turned down.

He said he is worried he doesn’t know where he will end up living - but doesn’t want to leave his home.

Mr Wisniewski said: “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.”

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.”