Monumental headache

Lack of funds for repair work putting Angus landmarks at risk, says report

Some of Angus’s architectural treasures risk falling into further disrepair due to a funding black hole.

There is no identified budget to carry out repair work to eight buildings and three bridges which would cost £1.4 million.

The council’s head of property, Ian Cochrane, said: “The risk of not carrying out all or some of the works is that these monuments and structures will deteriorate further and the amount of works and cost of remedial works will increase with time.

“There is also a risk that the bridges may need to be restricted to traffic before funding can be prioritised for these structures.”

The listed buildings identified as requiring repair works are the Mortuary Chapel, Arbroath; Keptie Water Tower, Arbroath; Arbroath Library; Montrose Museum; and Dalhousie Fountain in Brechin.

Roofless churches at Lethnot, Kirkinch and Lower Logie; and Gannochy Bridge; Bridge of Dun; and North Water Bridge are also in need of remedial works.

Work to repair the B-listed Keptie Water Tower and A-listed Mortuary Chapel in Arbroath were listed as “urgent, essential and desirable” in a previous conservation report.

The estimated total cost of repairs at these two buildings is £1.4m but only the most urgent works to satisfy health and safety requirements have previously been undertaken due to the overall cost of repairs.

The consultants’ reports on Keptie Water Tower and the Mortuary Chapel identified selected repairs to help stabilise and reduce the deterioration of the fabric to each building or structure.

Dr David Mitchell, director of conservation for Historic Environment Scotland, said Angus Council is welcome to apply to its grants scheme to help meet the cost of high-quality repairs.

He said: “Traditional buildings are cultural and economic assets for Scotland.

“We know that climate change is speeding up the natural process of decay, and lack of maintenance or the use of inappropriate materials accelerates this problem.

“We now have a robust assessment of our estate to help prioritise our conservation and repair programme effectively, and it is good to see Angus Council is doing the same.”

Abertay Historical Society president David Orr said: “The buildings they are concerned with in the report are coastal based and are great examples of the craftsmanship of the past.

“I wholeheartedly support the idea of preserving the built environment even if it means the council redirect the responsibility to other parties.”