East Clyde Street: Dangerous building set to be demolished

The unoccupied building, at 5-7 East Clyde Street, has caused problems for a number of years, including the street having to be closed between Sinclair Street and Maitland Street.

Now, a report to go before Argyll and Bute Council has revealed that a developer has expressed an interest in the building, and the authority regards it as the preferred option going forward.

A solution with the current owners is thought to be “unlikely”, and a council-led option is not favoured due to the length of time needed for a compulsory purchase order.

The report will be discussed by the full council at its virtual meeting on Thursday, September 30.

Council executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “There is interest from a developer who proposes to acquire the property at 5-7 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh and the adjoining former Chinese restaurant, to redevelop the site. Detailed discussions are ongoing between the council and the developer.

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“The current position is that the developer has secured provisional agreement from the majority of owners to take over the liabilities for the site, although further work is necessary.

“The intention is to demolish and redevelop the site, including the vacant adjoining former Chinese restaurant.

“There remain issues relating to planning restrictions, the property as a historic building and priority for Helensburgh CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme), potential council funding support (as there is an assessed development deficit), and issues around whether the council would agree to write off outstanding debt to allow owners to agree to transfer ownership liabilities to the developer.

“All owners are aware of the need to repair/refurbish the property. The situation is complicated due to the ownership issues and there is no collective agreement by the owners to repair the property. This option is unlikely and some owners are keen to pass on their liability.”

The report also said that the owners had not instructed any repairs and there remained a risk of further deterioration.

There is also outstanding debt to the council of £64,683 and formal charging orders are being prepared to be served. However, Ms Flanagan acknowledged that the debt may have to be written off.

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She added: “The condition of this unoccupied building is being monitored and building standards commissioned a structural survey to assess its current condition and identify whether there is any further deterioration.

“This survey, on August 24, confirmed that main propping is still providing a good system of support and along with the ties to the outer walling and other measures, are functioning as intended to stabilise the building. Water penetration is an issue and further deterioration of the property could affect adjoining properties.

“The report concludes that if the building is left to deteriorate further with no further repairs, then it would be easy to imagine the property could reach a point where it would be very difficult to instruct sensible or practical repairs. Owners have been sent the structural engineers’ report and advised of the need for action.

“Meantime, in the interests of public safety, building standards will instruct a contractor to check that the propping and bolting remain tight.

“It is important to secure repairs/redevelopment of this property that has a prominent position in Helensburgh town centre.

“As a priority building repair for Helensburgh CARS, with opportunity to support owners with grant assistance, the favoured option would be a developer-led approach to restoring the tenement property, supported through CARS funding.

“However, all options are being considered as the prospective developers current scheme is to demolish and redevelop the site which would not attract any CARS monies but may access Crown Estates and other funding avenues.”