Parts of the fire-ravaged Strathmartine Hospital could be pulled down within weeks.
Almost five weeks since a ferocious blaze ripped through the former asylum on the outskirts of Dundee, the owners of the property are working towards compliance with a dangerous buildings notice served on them.
Developers Heathfield Ltd won approval for more than 220 new homes on the sprawling site but the company’s prime focus in the weeks ahead will be implementing the recommendations of a structural assessment of the charred property.
Dozens of firefighters were called to the hospital on April 13 when fire took hold of the empty property.
Strathmartine had already been the subject of small fires according to locals but the outbreak, thought to have been started deliberately, quickly took hold of the main building, leading to extensive damage.
The hospital site was the subject of a controversial approval decision by Angus councillors late last year for conversion of the B-listed hospital block into 24 flats and the creation of 198 new-build homes in the grounds.
Scottish ministers subsequently notified the council they were calling in the application.
Angus development standards committee councillors have now learned that unsafe parts of the structure could be demolished by the end of this month.
The deterioration of the Strathmartine building has kept it on the authority’s enforcement list since the beginning of 2008.
Angus planning boss Iain Mitchell told councillors: “A dangerous buildings notice was served and we are in regular contact with them (Heathfield) regarding compliance.
“That required submission of a scheme to identify what the issues were and what is required to make the property safe.
“We have now received that information, which identifies various aspects to be opened up and various aspects to be demolished and towards the end of this month that should take place.”
Heathfield were not available for comment.