An historic building which has stood empty since 2015 could be about to become the subject of a residential development, a report has revealed.
An as-yet-unnamed developer has show interest in Blairvadach House, at Shandon, and has now been allowed to carry out site surveys, which are expected to be complete in early 2020.
A report by an Argyll and Bute Council official says it is hoped that a planning application for the site, most recently used as council offices, could follow.
The information is revealed in a report to go before members of Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Thursday.
In 2017 a nine-month investigation by this website revealed the B-listed mansion was one of almost 40 empty or disused buildings owned by the council, worth a total of more than £3.3m.
Subsequently the empty buildings were regularly placed on council agendas and several have been sold, but Blairvadach – the most expensive by far – is still standing empty.
In the latest council report, executive director with responsibility for commercial services Douglas Hendry said: “Blairvadach is a large former council office building and substantial estate grounds.
“The property is allocated in the Local Development Plan for housing for 112 residential units and was marketed in early 2019 with a number of offers being received.
“Following assessment of the offers a preferred developer was selected to work with, to develop the site.
“Subsequently a site licence has been agreed in November 2019 to allow the preferred developer to undertake site investigations, topographical surveys, tree surveys and a structural assessment of Blairvadach House.
“It is anticipated that these surveys will be completed in early 2020 and the outcome will determine the form of their planning application which is the next critical step.”
Mr Hendry’s report also reveals plans for one of the council-owned properties on Sinclair Street, between the former municipal buildings and the Co-op supermarket.
He continued: “Estates are working with the residents association for this block to agree a programme of common repairs to the roof, stairwell and rainwater goods.
“There is likely to be a requirement to restrict access to the pavement whilst certain works are ongoing.
“The works have been delayed from the original programme while some issues over the funding of the works are resolved but it is hoped that the works will be undertaken during 2020.”
Peckhams work ‘completed within six months’
The report also gives updates on the Peckhams restaurant planned for the municipal buildings, which were also on the list identified by this website and were given planning permission in October.
Mr Hendry added: “Peckhams have already obtained planning permission to convert the building into a bistro and deli on the ground floors with private dining and residential accommodation on the upper floors.
“The refurbishment works have already commenced and phase 1, including the new deli, is programmed to be completed in around six months.”
The former school and Rainbow centre has now been sold and is a private home, while two empty shop units in Rosneath are used by a shop and a takeaway, and the former marriage room in Helensburgh is used by a carers agency.
I think the demolition ship has sailed. I was through the park today and the old buildings within the fence, that were an eyesore, are now a pile of rubble. I wonder if the smaller buildings outside the fence will follow soon?
On another point, I saw Hawthorn Heights working to clear the pile of stuff that the council had dumped in the park near the new pavilion and taking a dumper full of rubbish from that area of the park up the lane toward the demolition site. I didn’t see what they did with it.