The new owner of a derelict building in Brechin has vowed to make its masonry safe after a member of the public was so concerned he blocked off a public pathway.
Concerns were raised with Angus Council last week after debris from the High Street building landed on the Braik’s Close path beside the old Flicks nightclub building.
Former community council chair Douglas Murray took matters into his own hands and put plastic fences across both ends of the footpath on Sunday, feeling two cones placed on the path were inadequate.
Bill Begg, the managing director of Cullochgold Services Ltd, only took possession of the former sandwich shop around six weeks ago and became aware of the masonry issue on Monday morning.
He said: “Pigeons have been coming in small holes in the gable and dislodging loose masonry. It’s cordoned off at the moment and we intend to put fence panels across the area and bolt it to the wall.
“The first we’d heard about it was on Monday morning. We don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
It is understood that the building has been empty for at least 10 years and Mr Begg’s company bought the site with planning permission to convert it into four flats.
Local artist David Adam raised the state of the building with Angus Council last week.
He said: “Fallen masonry (some large stones and rubble) from the badly bulging gable end was witnessed last week and the council informed.
“Two cones were placed at either side but are not stopping folk from using the close which should be closed to the public.
“I’m disappointed in the council’s response as these fallen stones could have easily killed or injured a passer-by.
“The rubble has since been removed but holes in the gable are obvious and not improved by feral pigeons going in and out.”
Mr Murray, who has served on community bodies for the past 25 years, said he felt that “community action” was needed and placed large plastic barriers across the path on Sunday morning.
He said: “The community felt what had been done wasn’t sufficient.
“Given the condition of the building, I felt there was a danger to the public so I took some community action.”
An Angus Council spokesman said: “We will be securing off access to the close and seeking to carry out further enquiries with the building’s owner to ensure its safety and that of the public.”
