A HELENSBURGH property owner has begged Argyll and Bute Council to demolish part of a dangerous building which has been at the centre of a “financial and legal nightmare” for years.

Part of the main road along the town’s seafront has been closed since Saturday, October 31 after debris fell onto the carriageway from a building at 5-7 East Clyde Street.

Earlier this year the council warned that the property – on which a dangerous building notice has been in place since 2016 – was at risk of being completely taken down without intervention from its owners to make it safe.

The latest incident has prompted pleas for an immediate and permanent solution, with one flat owner saying they have been “trying to get the council to tear it down for years but are getting ignored”.

The council is due to start work on stabilising the building today (Monday, November 9).

The owner, who asked not to be named, said they bought a flat in the building more than 20 years ago but haven’t lived in Helensburgh for over a decade, and the ongoing dispute over repairs has led to them declaring themself bankrupt.

They told the Advertiser: “This has been a legal nightmare and cost me a ridiculous amount of time, money and stress, both with the factors and the council.

“We’re at a standstill, and have been for around three years now, due to the fact that there are multiple owners, both private like myself, and businesses, which has complicated the situation.

“Not to mention that this also involves the derelict building next door, which is what has caused the whole problem - it is falling down, and pulling the side gable end wall with it.

“The internal and external structure are essentially beyond repair, as far as I’m aware, although I’ve heard nothing at all from the council or factors since 2018.

READ MORE: Helensburgh road shut after debris from dangerous building crashes on to street

“Money was initially paid to the factors for repairs back in 2016, when it was more ‘minor’, but not all owners paid, and the repairs never materialised. I have no idea what happened to this money.

“Since then costs have spiralled. The council had repeatedly said they would undertake repairs themselves, to make safe and lift the dangerous buildings notice, and then charge the owners, but this never happened.

“The owners have been left with huge repair bills - at last note more than £8,000 each - mortgages to pay but no tenant to pay rent, void insurance and no way out of this.

“I have had to declare myself bankrupt because of this. I am aware of at least two other owners who have had to do the same.

“The factors have washed their hands of it. The building needs to be demolished.

“No single owner can do anything, instruct repairs - assuming they could afford it - et cetera without express say-so from the other owners.

“I’m hopeful that the council might take action now and just demolish that part of the building.

“At the very least, despite that I would get landed with a portion of the costs for it, it would bring this to an end of some sort.”

The council announced on Friday that work would begin on November 9 to stabilise the building.

READ MORE: Work set to begin to stabilise dangerous Helensburgh building

A drone survey is also part of the action planned by the local authority, who have also said that the route will remain closed until the work is complete.

The council said in a statement: "The work will reduce potential risk of further collapse.

“We have advised the owners of the intended works and we will pursue recovery of costs along with a commitment to repair the building."

Colin Devon, from Glasgow-based factors Hacking and Paterson, said: “In 2016, further to identification of a building defect, a dangerous buildings notice was served on the collective homeowners by the local authority.

“On behalf of our customers, we obtained quotations for the remedial repairs required. Unfortunately, despite numerous requests, the homeowners did not provide the funding enabling works to their property to be instructed.

“In 2018, further building defects were identified, resulting in a second dangerous buildings notice being served on the collective homeowners by the local authority.

"Unfortunately, despite numerous requests, including meetings with the collective homeowners, attended by the local authority, the homeowners did not, and have yet to, provide the funding enabling works to their property to be instructed.

"As a result, the local authority carried out emergency works to make the property safe.

“Whilst we believe, in the absence of positive action by the homeowners, progression of any works required sits with the local authority, we have again written to our customers asking if they wish us to assist them further with their maintenance obligations.”

Helensburgh central councillor Lorna Douglas said: “There would seem to be an ongoing issue with this building that is no doubt causing distress to residents in and around the area.

“The closure of the road is obviously for safety issues, but I’m aware of the impact this has on the business in town and the disruption to road users.

“I would hope that the building is made safe asap.”

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