Runrig drummer Iain Bayne fears the dilapidated state of the Lundin Links Hotel is putting his house in jeopardy.
Iain lives next door to the prominent Tudor-style building, which is plagued by vandalism and fire-raising.
And he says the former hotel has gone from being an iconic structure to “the most iconic slum in Scotland”.
Iain played his last gig with the Scots rockers in front of 50,000 fans at Stirling Castle in 2018.
And he has lived in Lundin Links for the past eight years.
Fife Council took court action to secure the eyesore building last week.
As workers moved in on Wednesday to board up the once-popular hotel, Iain said villagers felt let down and frustrated at the lack of action to develop it.
And he criticised site owners Kapital Residential for their failure to communicate with locals.
“The Lundin Links Hotel has been part of the community for so long and it’s just very sad,” the former Runrig star said.
“This didn’t need to happen.”
Building’s condition having a ‘huge impact’ on neighbours
Iain used to play drums in dance bands as a teenager and often played at the Lundin Links Hotel.
The venue closed down in 2014, two weeks before he moved into his current home and there have since been several attempts to set it on fire.
“The developers pared back trees along the side of my house and just left them,” he said. “They’ve now become kindling.
“You’re talking about my house and my neighbours’ being in severe jeopardy.
“A wall along the side has collapsed and a tree fell down on top of somebody’s car across the road.
“The building is being neglected and abused and it’s having a huge impact on those living near it.”
It’s good it’s being boarded up but kids will find a way in.”
Iain Bayne.
And Iain also fears for children playing inside the decaying structure.
“It’s become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour,” he said.
“And I’ve seen kids breaking in – we don’t know how secure the floors are or what’s lying about in there.”
He added: “It’s good it’s being boarded up but kids will find a way in.”
Kapital Residential’s £850,000 Scottish Government loan
Kapital Residential received planning permission seven years ago to convert the C-listed building into 35 flats.
But the work never started and it has fallen further and further into disrepair.
Then, in 2020 the company secured a taxpayer-funded loan against the property.
A freedom of information request revealed the company was granted £850,000 under the Scottish Government’s Emergency Covid Liquidity Fund.
The £18 million fund was set up to protect jobs and suppliers in the housebuilding industry during lockdown.
And the loan was secured against the Lundin Links Hotel and Greenfield House in Alloa, which has since been sold to Clackmannanshire Council.
By last month, Kaptial Residential had repaid £150,000 and has until July 22 to repay the rest.
Until then, it is unable to sell the building.
Attempts to speak to developer on the site’s future
However, despite the extra money, no work has been done to maintain or develop the site.
And this is of concern, both to residents and MP Wendy Chamberlain, who has also tried and failed to contact the company.
“I’m glad some progress is finally being made to address these immediate concerns and secure the building,” the Liberal Democrat MP said.
“It is disappointing, however, that Kapital have shown no willingness to do this themselves, instead leaving it to Fife Council.
“I continue to try to get Kapital to engage on its future, either with me or with the community council.
“But I remain concerned that there is no immediate plan to develop the site.
“If Kapital cannot provide this, then they must pass the site to someone who can.”
Despite repeated attempts, Kaptial Residential could not be contacted for comment.
