The people who may one day decide the fate of the sprawling former Strathmartine Hospital on the outskirts of Dundee are aiming to see for themselves the decaying state of the site.
Theft, vandalism and weathering are taking an increasing toll on buildings which have lain empty since the hospital’s closure in 2003, two years before it was sold.
The site falls within the jurisdiction of Angus Council, and although planning officials from the local authority have been in regular dialogue with the property owners there are mounting concerns that redevelopment plans are not moving swiftly enough.
Earlier this week the area’s development standards committee approved the demolition of Monifieth’s historic Milton Mill, which had been deemed too dangerous to repair after a fierce fire in 2006, and a leading councillor said he feared the longer Strathmartine lies empty, the greater the risk that the substantial buildings may also deteriorate beyond viable restoration.
“It really concerns me that if we don’t come to an agreement fairly soon with the developer then we could have another Milton Mill on our hands,” said Angus Alliance councillor Colin Brown.
“The thing is deteriorating at a great rate of knots, and if we don’t save it we are failing in our charge.”
Independent Bob Spink said, “I also have concerns about this building and where it is heading.Substantial”I think if we had a site visit and were able to make ourselves aware of the extent of these buildings it would give us a chance to evaluate what is a substantial site.”
Planning official Ian Mitchell told the committee the owners of the 17-hectare site, which includes the main B-listed former hospital, have new agents and discussions are continuing with a view to a further update on the situation in August.
“It is sometimes difficult to take matters forward and we are moving on a fast timescale,” he said.
“We are making the owners aware of their responsibilities and of the committee’s concerns with a view to hopefully coming forward with something positive,” said Mr Mitchell.
The council is to contact the owners to seek permission for a Strathmartine site visit, which committee convener David Lumgair said would be a benefit for future decision-making and to gauge an impression of the current state of the buildings.
“I think it would be a very good idea if we, as a committee, could go along legitimately with the agreement of the owner and gain access to the site to see for ourselves what is there and the condition of the various buildings.”
Editor’s link: The National Archives: Strathmartine Hospital.