Dangerous house / Public meeting in Pentland on Tuesday, April 1

[Loch not Lock]

:mad: When is something going to be done about demolishing the eyesore at the corner Sir John's Square and Princes Street, opposite the Pentand Hotel. It has been getting considerably worse for many years. The Department of Health and Safety should condemn it immediately and the costs paid by the owner.
Recently you can smell the spores of mould from the other side of the road. This is very bad for asthma sufferers and hundreds of schoolchildren pass the "house" each day.
Have we got to wait for someone to get killed by a fallen stone before something is done?

[3boys4me]

I'd heard something aong the lines there was a legal quarrel over who owned it which is why nothing has been done. Something along the lines of it was inherited but there is a quarrel of who's getting it( or who doesn't want it as tha case may be!) Until that is solved the counicl prob. can't do much. It would be nice if it was done up, it has some nice period feature.

[Loch not Lock]

I am sorry to say it is far beyond restoration unless you've got a million or two to spare.:~(

[badger]

I agree it's very dangerous and last time I looked wasn't even securely boarded up. No matter what legal wrangles there are over ownership, the Council should be able to take action now and sort out the owner later - preferably handing them a large bill.

[Loch not Lock]

Well said, Badger.

[skinnydog]

But do you really believe that it is a wrangle over who owns it/inherits it etc? I think that might just be a feeble excuse for some bandit who has done a runner south and doesn't give a monkey's what eye sore they have left behind. They might even be hoping that eventually the council will give in and have to sort it out, leaving them scott free of any responsibility.

[thebigman]

If you think the property is dangerous then I suggest you phone Building Control in Wick and report the matter.

[badger]

If you think the property is dangerous then I suggest you phone Building Control in Wick and report the matter.

They all know about it and it's been endlessly discussed by the Council. Seems to be one of those things that is always someone else's responsibility.

[Penelope Pitstop]

But do you really believe that it is a wrangle over who owns it/inherits it etc? I think that might just be a feeble excuse for some bandit who has done a runner south and doesn't give a monkey's what eye sore they have left behind. They might even be hoping that eventually the council will give in and have to sort it out, leaving them scott free of any responsibility.

Think you've summed it up just right here.

[Loch not Lock]

I believe there are plenty of local people who know exactly who is responsible for this abomination. For legal reasons I am not going to name the person(s) on here.

[Julia]

The empty building next to the Balti house on Bridge Street in Wick is really bad too, it's leaning outwards. it's a real eyesore and looks a bit dangerous.

[ashaw1]

The empty building next to the Balti house on Bridge Street in Wick is really bad too, it's leaning outwards. it's a real eyesore and looks a bit dangerous.
I notice that this building is actually being fixed now. What a difference already!

[Pepsix]

[quote=badger;336294]I agree it's very dangerous and last time I looked wasn't even securely boarded up. No matter what legal wrangles there are over ownership, the Council should be able to take action now and sort out the owner later - preferably handing them a large bill.[/quo

The council have been 'on to this' for several years now and it has gone to court several times however I understand that the building keeps changing hands and each time this happens the council officials have to go back to the start of the process. there is a lot of legalities involved but the highland council is dealing with it. Cllr Donnie MacKay has been pushing this for years.

[Loch not Lock]

I was assured by 2 council members yesterday that things are in progress and to expect work soon.
I wonder how soon - 10 years???? :confused

[xx_chickie]

I was assured by 2 council members yesterday that things are in progress and to expect work soon.
I wonder how soon - 10 years???? :confused

Hmm...yes, turning into another New Wembley!

I'm tempted to just blow the thing up and be done with it!

[Flair]

Have we got to wait for someone to get killed by a fallen stone before something is done?

I pass that place a couple of days a week. I like those odds. ;)

[Tubthumper]

Perhaps Big Beat Leisure (the mysterious Dundee-based business intending to restore the site of the old picture house/Dominos in Wick) would like to take it on as a development project.
Grant Aid could be sought from HIE and the NDA, and it could complement the old 'Monza' shop at the opposite corner of Thurso town's square, which could specialise in sales of homely items such as real fireplaces.
Experienced business people establishing a top-notch leisure and shopping location for the North, based on sound redevelopment of the County's historically-interesting buildings, while keeping local building firms and suppliers in business - a win-win situation I would say!

[Loch not Lock]

I notice there is to be a public meeting regarding 30, Princes St. next Tuesday at 7.30 in the Pentland Hotel. Unfortunately I have to be in Elgin that evening so I hope some fellow forumites will attend and report the outcome.
No.30 is that eyesore of a building that is a health risk to all who pass. Should have been demolished 15 years ago!:confused

[mr do dar]

that should of come down years ago . and something useful put in its place . something that keeps caithness looking good and makes people want to come back again hopefully not a charity shop lol

[Loch not Lock]

I just hope something positive comes from this meeting. Please turn up if you care about Thurso's safety and appearance.

[Loch not Lock]

I hope that something is going to happen at last as there is a public meeting in the Pentland Hotel next Tuesday April 1st.(hope that's not a bad omen).:roll:

[Rheghead]

Surely the building should be restored eventually, what is the alternative, have it knocked down and a big empty space left there?

[Bobinovich]

I would have thought the obvious thing to do would be to demolish it completely then have a new build which blends in with the surrounding area.

[theone]

Perhaps Big Beat Leisure (the mysterious Dundee-based business intending to restore the site of the old picture house/Dominos in Wick) would like to take it on as a development project.
Grant Aid could be sought from HIE and the NDA, and it could complement the old 'Monza' shop at the opposite corner of Thurso town's square, which could specialise in sales of homely items such as real fireplaces.
Experienced business people establishing a top-notch leisure and shopping location for the North, based on sound redevelopment of the County's historically-interesting buildings, while keeping local building firms and suppliers in business - a win-win situation I would say!

Very subtle! I liked that post.

[cazmanian_minx]

I would have thought the obvious thing to do would be to demolish it completely then have a new build which blends in with the surrounding area.

It's Grade B listed - more details on the Buildings At Risk register here (http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/BAR/detail.aspx?sctID=2171&region=Highland&div=Caithness&class=ALL&category=AT%20RISK&Page=5&NumImg=5). It also gives the owner's name, though it says the register entry hasn't been updated since 2004.

[Loch not Lock]

I would have thought the obvious thing to do would be to demolish it completely then have a new build which blends in with the surrounding area.

I agree. Could as many Orgers as possible try and turn up at the Pentland Hotel tomorrow night.

[Penelope Pitstop]

I believe there are plenty of local people who know exactly who is responsible for this abomination. For legal reasons I am not going to name the person(s) on here.

Loch, I'm under no illusion who the "bandits" are that own this place...hence my post.;)

[Loch not Lock]

Loch, I'm under no illusion who the "bandits" are that own this place...hence my post.;)

Could not agree more with you that the owners are a bunch of "bandits". However, surely the council can make a compulsory order at a knock down price as it is a health hazard and has been for at least 15 years.
The department of Health and Safety must have the power over the dodgy owners.
It could then be sold to a reputable property developer who could make a nice profit by rebuilding it in a mode suitable to surrounding buildings.
Have the owners also something to do with the ugly Monza shop diametrically opposite?
I hope plenty of angry protestors turn up tomorrow night.
Remember, after years of legal argueing, they demolished the old brewery which was also a listed building.

[Loch not Lock]

Just a reminder Pentland Hotel 7.30 tonight.:eek:

[Boozeburglar]

They should bring in a 'shelf life' law; all building over a certain age should automatically be demolished. Let us start with Old St. Peter's. What a ruin that is! Perfect site for some flats.

How about the Castle of Mey; not a ruin by any means but could we not replace it with a cheap to run new build motel? Charlie and his horse would be much more comfortable during their vacations. Thinking of the future for them, we could keep it all on the same level.

Acknowledging buildings have a finite 'shelf' life will become increasingly important in the next forty years, as all the new builds swamping the Caithness landscape fall over, designed as they are to have a reduced shelf life.

Regarding Princess Street; perhaps they could round the corner off and have a little bit of grass. Grass, in moderation, does little harm. There seems no point in building residentially where there are busy roads, and who needs 'shops' these days in a supermarket Mecca like Thurso?

[Loch not Lock]

Did anything positive happen at last night's meeting? I had to miss it as I was in Elgin? :confused

[Baconbuttie]

Saw a scaffolding firm looking at it on my way home tonight so hopefully something happening quick

[Loch not Lock]

Scaffolding going up this morning, what next - a tin roof is my bet. Bulldozer would be better! Or give the people leaving Skinanndiis some heavy tools at 2am and get the job done free!:)

[joxville]

:mad: When is something going to be done about demolishing the eyesore at the corner Sir John's Square and Princes Street, opposite the Pentand Hotel. It has been getting considerably worse for many years. The Department of Health and Safety should condemn it immediately and the costs paid by the owner.
Recently you can smell the spores of mould from the other side of the road. This is very bad for asthma sufferers and hundreds of schoolchildren pass the "house" each day.
Have we got to wait for someone to get killed by a fallen stone before something is done?

I visited Thurso for the first time 20 years ago and the building was an eyesore then, so don't expect the council to do anything soon. However, if the land was needed to make way for a new Department of AiryFairy Ideas or Hot Air Task Force then the money/action would soon surface. Or am I just being cynical.:)