‘I can’t sleep for noisy flats’
Woman calls for action at Picture House Court
A Blairgowrie woman says she has been left unable to sleep because of what she describes as anti-social neighbours.
The concerned local, who did not want to be named, contacted the Blairie recently and claimed the noise levels coming from council tenants in the town’s Picture House Court have left her and others in the development at the end of their tether.
She added some of those who previously lived in the flats accessed off Reform Street have opted to leave their homes because of it.
She explained: “The police are at the flats all the time. They [the tenants in question] party all through the night and I can’t get any sleep. I have tried phoning the police countless times, because someone has got to let us get some sleep.”
The disgruntled source went on to allege: “There is dog dirt all over the place and folk are coming in and buying drugs. I am nearly 60 and the noise levels are leaving me in tears. It has been going on for a year and a half now.”
The woman continued by questioning Perth and Kinross
Council’s approach to allocating social housing.
She said: “I have phoned the council several times. Councillor Caroline Shiers [who represents the Blairgowrie and Glens ward] is out there for us, but she says her hands are tied because of policy. The council say there is nothing they can do, and they can’t tell them to shut up at midnight.
“The police sergeant here is brilliant too, the police are great and know all about what’s going on at Picture House Court. But again I’ve phoned up at weekends when they [the neighbours] are drinking on the picnic benches outside and they say there is nothing they can do. It’s nuts, and it’s driving me nuts.”
She also lamented: “All the good folk are moving out because of them, and those who haven’t moved out can’t afford to get out.
“One of my neighbours is asking her son to move back in with her so she can move out and afford rent on a private property. Someone has to do something, because all the good people are moving out.”
Councillor Shiers said on Wednesday this week: “I am aware of the issues and I am in contact with the [Perth and Kinross Council] housing team and the anti-social behaviour team [and have been] for quite a while.
“I have again since the lady has been in touch. I’ve been in touch with housing, police and anti-social behaviour and have since arranged a round table meeting with all the relevant people – along with others – in relation to housing.
“I will get back to residents to update them in due course – but I am very aware of the issues here and want them resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council has since urged the woman to contact her local housing association for help.
They said: “Although we don’t comment on individual circumstances, the council treats complaints about our tenants very seriously.
“We recognise that residents are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and we encourage tenants to meet the requirements of their tenancy agreement.
“Where incidents of anti-social behaviour do occur our local housing teams work closely with our safer communities team to resolve issues and take the appropriate action. The majority of issues are resolved to people’s satisfaction.”