A Crieff community councillor has claimed that a 20ft piece of guttering that fell from a dilapidated hotel could have killed someone.
Craig Finlay told The Courier he feels danger signs need to be put up beside the Strathearn Hotel in King Street, and stressed local residents are “taking the Mick” by placing bunting outside the eyesore building.
“There are lots of weeds that were basically holding this cast iron guttering up,” he said.
“It could have killed someone. I have written to the council to say I feel they should exercise stronger action using the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
“I am sure the council are aware of the great anxiety faced by many people in Crieff regarding the building.
“I had also asked the council to attach warning notices to the building in order for passers-by to be aware of the dangers overhead.”
He added that local residents have put up bunting as a “joke”.
“They do this to take the Mick, as the building is in such a state,” he said.
The “crumbling” state of the hotel has already been highlighted on the goodcrieff.net website, which is run by Colin Lamont.
He claims the building would not look out of place in “deep, dark forest.”
A letter sent by Gordon Lindsay, building standards manager with Perth and Kinross Council, to Mr Finlay reveals the guttering had broken from its fixings.
However, the council official states: “It was not deemed an immediate emergency as it was wedged in position by the plant in question,” his letter said.
“That said, a letter was immediately issued to the owners to advise them of the situation and requesting that they take action to address this defect.
“We were advised over the festive break that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended the site and have removed the gutter.
“We will again write to the owners seeking that they undertake remedial work to address this issue.”
Ken Stoddart, owner of the Strathearn Hotel, yesterday said a bid had been made to buy the hotel but claimed the businessman pulled out.
“The hotel is still for sale and there is someone interested in it,” he said.