Anger over state of tumble-down house next door to primary school

Published on Thursday 19 August 2010 15:20

Campaigners are demanding that the city council takes action against the owner of a former school janitor's house, which they say has become an eyesore.

The building, next to Leith Walk Primary School on Brunswick Road, was sold off by the council to a private buyer, but the house and garden have been left in a state of disrepair.

This has caused some anger in the community, amid claims that the prominent building is unsightly and should be put to good use.

Malcolm Chisholm, MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith, has asked the city council to use its legal powers under the Housing Act 2006 to force the owner to improve the property.

It is thought that the council threatened the owner some time ago with a statutory notice, and some work was carried out to the house and garden.

However, council officials now say that unless the building becomes dangerous, they will not intervene.

Mr Chisholm said: "There's a lot of concern from local people about this.

"They're worried it's dangerous but also think it's a terrible eyesore and people just don't understand that the council won't take action when it has the powers to do so."

Chairman of Leith Central Community Council, Stewart Blaik, said it was a matter of concern to many of the people who lived nearby, particularly because of its proximity to the school: "It's getting into a real state of disrepair. The council have sold this to somebody, and they've done nothing with it since they got the house. It's a great disappointment that a house which was a good house is left in this condition.

"We've written to the council twice asking them to take action on it. I think they should be repurchasing it from them.

"I believe as part of the deal it says that the property should be kept up to a good maintenance standard and as far as I can see that hasn't been done."

He said local people felt the building was going to waste: "It could be a house and it could mean a lot to somebody. 'Affordable housing' is a cry from everybody at the moment.

"It's right next to a primary school, and it's not a very good advertisement for it.

"It just doesn't seem quite right that we should let it go into such a state so close to the children."

A council spokesman said: "This property is in private ownership, and as such, responsibility for the building and the maintenance of its grounds remains the sole responsibility of the owner.

"Should the building become dangerous or structurally unsafe then the council could intervene and take action".

The owner of the property could not be contacted for comment.