Latest news with #CaledoniaHousingAssociation
The Courier
a day ago
- Business
- The Courier
Forfar Gables vandalism bill revealed as affordable housing plans resurface
The cost of combating vandals at The Gables in Forfar has been revealed as it emerged multi-million pound affordable housing plans for the site are back on track. In 2024, Angus Council closed the Arbroath Road centre for adults with learning disabilities. It had operated for around 40 years. Eight residents left The Gables on March 27 last year after the service was moved to the former Beech Hill residential home in Lour Road, Forfar. Security measures alone since the home closed have cost more than £15,000. Angus councillors had previously agreed to transfer the Gables site to Caledonia Housing Association. The Tayside-based landlord drew up proposals for a development of around 20 affordable homes. But the deal was never finalised after CHA dropped the scheme due to spiralling costs. The Courier can now confirm the project is back on the cards after policy committee councillors approved the land transfer to CHA for the second time. A report recommending the site transfer was agreed in private on Tuesday. And we can also reveal the cost of tackling vandalism there since the doors were closed. Shocking images from inside The Gables showed the state of the building following a deliberate fire there in February. Angus Council has spent £15,491 on security measures and repairs at the site since it closed. The figure was part of a Freedom of Information response around expenditure at The Gables since 2019. Between the council and Angus Health and Social Care Partnership, the planned and unplanned maintenance figure exceeded £135,000. Totals for the council's planned and unplanned maintenance over the period are: The 2024/25 figure largely comprises the vandalism costs. AHSCP's total outlay was £51,166 over the period. The council said there had been 'six or seven entries or attempted entry and various degrees of vandalism' to the property. Only one required the attendance of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, according to the authority. A spokesperson for Caledonia Housing Association said: 'We welcome Angus Council's decision to approve the transfer of The Gables site. 'The legal process has yet to begin and no date for the transfer has been set. 'Any future development will require a fresh planning application, which will be informed by local housing needs and developed in partnership with Angus Council. 'Caledonia will not assume responsibility for securing and maintaining the site until the legal process is complete.'
The Courier
4 days ago
- The Courier
Forfar Gables sale on the cards as council snubs vandalism bill FOI query
The possible sale of the vandal-hit Gables centre in Forfar is back on the agenda. The centre for adults with learning disabilities has lain empty since its residents were moved to Forfar's former Beech Hill House care home in 2023. Since then, the Arbroath Road property has become a magnet for vandals. A fire there in February was the latest in a series of incidents. Next week, a confidential report on possible disposal of The Gables will go before councillors. It could see affordable housing plans for the site rejuvenated. The move comes as Angus Council has snubbed questions around how much has been spent there since the shutters went up. Plans for an affordable housing transformation were first drawn up in 2018. And in 2020, councillors approved the transfer of the land to Caledonia Housing Association. But the £3.5 million project didn't materialise due to soaring costs. It was scrapped in 2022. The council recently confirmed the land transfer never went ahead. In April, the housing association said it remained in talks with Angus Council. A spokesperson for Caledonia said: 'We are aware that a report relating to The Gables site in Forfar is due to be considered by Angus Council's policy committee next week. 'We are not yet privy to the detail of the report or its recommendations.' Despite the empty centre being directly next door to Forfar fire station, brazen youths have repeatedly broken in. Images following the fire in February revealed the shocking state inside the building. It included widespread damage to the main lounge and kitchen, graffiti, and burnt furniture. Through Freedom of Information (FOI), The Courier sought answers to several questions relating to the building. These included the number of incidents of unauthorised entry or vandalism, and how often Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue had been involved. The amount spent on repairs and security measures was also requested. A response – due within 20 working days of the April 8 request – is yet to be received. The council has also failed to respond to follow-up emails seeking an update on the FOI request's progress.
