Just beside Castle Woods – an Open Space Protected Area [OSPA] in Helensburgh – is Jutland Court, a series of derelict blocks of flats with a total of 42 apartments, bought from the Ministry of Defence by a property company that subsequently went into administration. The flats are boarded up and an eyesore.
A former naval barracks, since Jutland Court was let out by the private sector it has been a source of running problems.
Current complaints are over the unkempt site, litter, dumping, vermin and other anti-social problems associated with vacant buildings. The only viable development option for Jutland Court according to experts is demolition. The questions are when the necessary demolition will take place and for how long local residents will be left with this unsightly and unsavoury site on their doorsteps.
Jutland Court has recently been bought by controversial local developers, Osborne Interiors, the suggestion being that the flats were to be demolished to allow the site of over two acres to be used for the construction of affordable housing,
There was widespread relief in the area at the supposed demolition plan. However, it now seems that Osborne’s have decided against demolition. What alternative to this they have decided upon remains unclear.
They might:
- attempt a refurbishment which, given the age and low quality of the buildings, would be unlikely to produce acceptable building standards in today’s terms;
- leave them derelict as a speculative investment until the market changes; but most interpreters of the economic situation suggest that waiting for this will be a long sit – and particularly so for local residents;
- continue to try to sell it, as they have already been doing, with no takers as yet..
Talks appear to be ongoing with strategic targets in local politics.
Helensburgh Councillor, James Robb, Lead Councillor for Finance in the new council administration, asked what the current position is with Jutland Court, says: ‘Expectations were raised by recent comments that Jutland Court was to be demolished to redevelop the 2.1 acre site for affordable housing. That has now been denied by spokespersons for the owners.
‘Despite previous refurbishments, there have been long running problems with these flats so neighbours are understandably disappointed that the flats will now not be demolished.
‘It looked for a moment that this would be a great solution for all affected but it has now taken a different direction.
‘We will all just have to wait and see what plans are now brought forward for this valuable site on the edge of the Open Space Protection Area containing Castle Woods.’
James Robb states…”That has now been denied by spokespersons for the owners”…
Would that spokesperson be Cllr Dance by any chance?
I just hope that Osbournes are not holding out for planning permission to develop Castle Woods and the OSPA they illegally cleared (allegedly) in Cumberland Avenue.
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There’s one sure way to find out; make an offer to Osbornes to buy the property. If they fail to negotiate meaningfully then they are clearly at it.
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I live just down the road, and was elated that Jutland Court was finally to be demolished. However, it seems a handful of people are determined to continue a stalemate by not allowing Osbornes to develop the Castle woods site next door, forcing them to try and sell it on.
Castle Woods was once an enjoyable open space, but it is now a place for teenagers and others to drink and sell drugs, the trees are rotten and sliding down the hill, and the place is neglected. In my opinion, Osbornes would be doing us a huge favour in developing this area.
As for the local action group, is this the same group whose members, in trying to “save” the woods at Cumberland avenue proceeded to fly tip their garden rubbish and old furniture into this “area of natural beauty”, and remove all the Children’s play equipment from the park because they weren’t willing to maintain it?
“Saving” something from developers is NOT the same as just maintaining the status quo. Realistically no-one will buy a site they are not able to build on.
We have lived here for 17 years, and were told on moving in that Jutland Court was going to be demolished. Such is the pace of development in Helensburgh, and the depth of personal vendettas. It’s time for Compromise and Common sense
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Castle Woods is certainly not in the dire state suggested by this comment, even though it has not been properly managed for many years. It contains some really fine specimens – oak, ash, beech and holly – and if well managed, could provide a direct link from Duchess Woods right through to West King Street. That’s why Helensburgh Community Woodlands Group will shortly be producing a draft management plan for Castle Woods to show how it could be enhanced and looked after for everyone’s benefit.
Jutland Court is an entirely separate issue – it could easily be demolished and redeveloped without any need to encroach on Castle Woods. This is what HCWG wants to see. If the developers try to hold the council and community to ransom by saying that they will leave Jutland Court to decay unless they are allowed to destroy Castle Woods, they should be treated with the contempt such an attitude would deserve. Incidentally, Catherine’s comments about HCWG members tipping rubbish into the Cumberland Avenue site and removing play equipment (where does she mean?) are wholly inaccurate. Our campaign at Cumberland Avenue is focused on ensuring the area is replanted and retained as an Open Space Protection Area and our members have been working hard to see this happen.
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The area of rubbish disposal I mentioned is behind the ex MOD houses in Fraser Avenue. When we first moved to Helensburgh there was a play park maintained by the council or MOD beside the tower. When the land and MOD houses were sold to the homeowners in Fraser Avenue, the decision was made to get rid of the play equipment, as the homeowners were liable for insurance, and any accidents occurring there. I did not mean that HCGW members themselves are tipping rubbish, but some of the people who brought around the first petition a few years ago now, are certainly not as scrupulous.
I know for a fact that the woods are used for drinking by local youths. I appreciate that the HCGW intend to manage Castle Woods, and admire your work in Duchess Woods, but after 17 years of waiting for Jutland court to fall, I am extremely disappointed that we will have to wait longer.
To sum up, I apologize for my tone in my previous comment, but I feel there is some kind of local dislike of Osbornes which is holding up any kind of progress.
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