Strathaven locals demand action at ‘eyesore’ former pub
There are calls for action to be taken on an “eyesore” patch of land yards from the heart of Strathaven.
The area on Todshill Street, the former site of the Castle Tavern, has fallen into disrepair in recent years since the pub was demolished in 2011.
The spot is yards from the Common Green and looks on to Strathaven Castle.
Strathaven Community Council have now called for action regarding the patch with fences collapsing, weeds left overgrown and litter abandoned.
Secretary Les Hoggan said that the community council have attempted to make contact with the owner of the land - but even the board with the contact number has gone missing.
“It’s a mess,” said Mr Hoggan. “Some people from the local community have tried to tidy it up a bit, but it’s a bit of a struggle to keep it that way.
“It’s a real eyesore and the fence has mostly collapsed.
“It’s been like this for a few years now but recently it has been left in a noticeably worse state.
“There used to be a fence around it which at least limited fly tipping and meant people didn’t have to look at it, but we don’t have that now.
“We want to contact the land owner on a couple of occasions now, but we haven’t been able to.
“It’s proved difficult for us to reach them.
“There was a phone number on a ‘For Sale’ sign on the fence, but that fence has now collapsed and the sign has disappeared.”
Clydesdale MSP Aileen Campbell admits she is concerned after the deteriorating condition was reported to her office in recent weeks.
“Like many places, fly-tipping has become a growing problem around Strathaven and Clydesdale,” said Ms Campbell.
“I am advised that South Lanarkshire Council did check the land in question recently and reported at the time that they were satisfied that site did not pose any risk.
“However, I understand that there has been continuing difficulty in contacting the owner of the land and these efforts to reach the owner are ongoing.
“I am concerned by reports that the mess at this site has become worse in recent weeks.”
The MSP further noted that a number of reports regarding fly-tipping in Avondale and surrounding areas.
The SNP MSP continued: “I will be liaising with the council to ensure that any fly-tipping is dealt with appropriately and that no risk is posed to the public.”
South Lanarkshire Council’s head of Planning and Economic Development, Pauline Elliott, said: “We received complaints about the site which was visited by our Building Standards team.
“The owners of the land were contacted and the dangerous condition of the fence was raised with them.
“After they failed to take action a notice was served on them under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003, requiring action to be taken to remove the dangerous parts of the fence.
“The failed fence panels have now been removed by the owners and therefore they have met the requirements of the notice.”