Community Councillor calls for urgent action on growing number of dangerous buildings in Huntly
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A MEMBER of Huntly Community Council has branded the appearance of the town centre as shocking.
Businessman, Ian Little told the group's recent meeting that some buildings were in need of urgent attention or a serious accident would take place.
The community council's own meeting could not be held in the Stewart's Hall after a piece of loose masonry fell from the side of building earlier in the day narrowly missing someone who had just attended the vaccination clinic.
Contractors were called in to check for more defects and the building is now scheduled for re-pointing next year.
Mr Little urged the community council to place on record its concern over the condition of some properties or it could risk being held liable if someone was injured of killed by falling masonry.
Mr Little said: "We need to minute our concern otherwise if something happens the community council will rightly get the blame."
Mr Little particularly directed his comments at the empty and increasingly derelict Huntly Hotel.
He continued: "A slate off the roof of a three or four storey property like that would kill someone if it hit them. But the Huntly Hotel is not unique, there are six or seven buildings like that in the town.
"Aberdeenshire Council's own buildings are not in a good state of repair - windows and gutters on them need repaired and cleared.
"The council is not setting a good example and I expect Covid will be blamed.
"I own two shops which I have to maintain and I am liable - if something was to happen I would be sued. Insurance would not pay up if a property is not maintained."
Fellow member John Porter said he suspected that The Huntly Hotel would not be insured.
According to Aberdeenshire Council, dangerous and defective buildings are the responsibility of the owner but where owners fail to take required action or emergency action is required the local authority can take appropriate steps to resolve defects.
Dangerous or defective buildings can be reported by calling 01467 534333 during office hours or 03456 08 12 03 in an emergency.
A spokesman said: "We will take any necessary action to make safe any buildings or part of a building which has become dangerous. If practical we will contact the property owner and give them the chance to undertake the required works. When this is not possible, we will instruct a contractor to either undertake the work or secure the site to prevent access to or around the affected property. The costs incurred will be recovered from the property owner."
In terms of the authority's own buildings he added: “We have a contract in place to undertake all essential reactive maintenance. For more major lifecycle replacement works, prioritisation is aligned to available budgets and condition assessments, operational requirements, building usage and health and safety assessments."
Ownership of the Huntly Hotel could not be established to allow them to comment.
