There has been criticism in Helensburgh at the perceived lack of action in demolishing the former Hermitage Academy, following the school’s move to the town’s new joint campus.
Argyll and Bute Council has issued reassurance that the plans to clear the site are on track to be completed by July and at no cost to the council.
The Council are the current owners of the site and John Dickie Homes, which will formally take over the site in October 2010, has been given permission first to carry out the demolition of the school. This company is now responsibility for site security and demolition.
Work to strip out the interior of the building will commence in May and carry on until June. The demolition of the structure of the building will take place during July.
Councillor George Freeman, Chair of the Council’s Area Committee for Helensburgh and Lomond, is confident the building is being removed in the most efficient way possible. He explains: ‘It may not appear it to the casual observer but the demolition of the old Hermitage Academy is underway and is on track.
‘John Dickie Homes have permission from the council to clear the site before they take it over fully. Removing old buildings and making their former site ready for a new future is no longer something that can be done in a hurry so it might look as if there’s no progress being made but I’m happy everything is in train’.
A spokesperson for John Dickie Homes confirms that the demolition plans are now on schedule: ‘We’ve removed some of the interior and are working with the utility companies to remove existing supplies from the site. As much material as possible is being sent for disposal at recycling centres, in line with environmental requirements. Windows have previously been removed which helps make the eventual demolition safer.
‘The remaining structure is scheduled to be demolished by July and we’re now on target to complete all the preparatory work which will make that possible on time’.
Morning,
Can you tell us why you have a heading about critisism yet make no mention of it in the article. Who is critical and why? Everything seems to be timetabled. What is the problem?
or is this just attention seeking by the writer of the article
Jim
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I think you are joking re this statement, this building hasn’t even started to be demolished. If you call removing some windows and two guys working in two classrooms months ago ‘demolishing’ then I think you should have a site visit, this is a joke.
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Think they havin a laugh as well .. Bank appointed receivers to John Dickie Group months ago .. no office .. no people .. no web site .. no information .. no money .. no hope of them ever starting demolition.
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I have been trying to get info on the site too .. no sign of any demolition work .. nobody to talk too .. googled John Dickie (Helensburgh) Ltd .. the Company has reincarnated into Helensburgh Developments Ltd and changed its registered address to a lawyers office in Rose Street Aberdeen. No idea what the new Company do .. they dont have an office or staff or a web site either ..
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Nature of Helensburgh Developments Ltd. listed as General Construction and Civil engineering. Limited Accounts, total exemption small company. Net assets of £3. That must be what they have spent on the demolition. It is a joke.
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Sounds like some corporate maneuver to get Hermitage Academy out of John Dickie Group, and away from the Bank receivers.
If Helensburgh Developments have no money for demolition, it could be a long while before we see them build any houses. Twelfth of never I suspect.
The Council should request details of the Demolition contract to see if it exists or not.
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Can the Council reveal the identity of the John Dickie spokesperson ? or is he an International Man of Mystery.
The observations of a casual observer is that nothing at all has happened in the seven months since the John Dickie spokesperson confirmed it was already underway. Have the recycling centres been overwhelmed at receiving no materials at all ? are the demolition industry unable to provide a bulldozer ? and where has the site security man been for eight months ?
It s been a long while since we heard from the John Dickie spokesperson. An update on progress would be good.
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Why on earth is Helensburgh mentioned in a website for Argyll? It’s in Dunbartonshire and is merely a part of the council area known as Argyll and Bute. Typically, moans and groans from Helensburgh. If the school is demolished and houses built, there will be moans and groans. If it lies as it is then moans and groans. Remember the folk who bought new-build Cala houses next to the Cardross golf course and moaned and groaned that golf balls were flying all over the place? Enough said.
Nice to see Clr Freeman is right on the ball and saying the demolition plan is running on time!Perhaps he and his ageing colleagues who appear and surface for the apparent automatic re-election every 4 years as “independents” should stand down and make way for fresh and new people. Alternatively, in 2011 the electorate should boot them out! The “independents” are about as switched-on as a burst light bulb! Some are more right wing than Margaret Thatcher and Keith Joseph!
,
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