Community leaders have called for action after the state of a Dundee close caused outrage at a local meeting.
At a recent Maryfield Local Community Planning Partnership meeting, councillor Ken Lynn, along with members of voluntary groups from the area, expressed real concern at the disarray a close at the top of Albert Street has fallen in to.
Those at the meeting, held at the Kemback Centre, were reacting to the Tele’s story that Royal Mail had stopped delivering to the close after a postman slipped on urine in the stairway.
“When residents are denied of a simple service such as receiving mail, that is just beyond the pale,” said councillor Lynn.
“This is no way for residents to be treated by landlords.
“It’s totally unacceptable to expect people to live in those conditions.
“All it really takes is a security door to be fitted at the entrance.
“It’s not only the residents who are affected, but the surrounding community as that kind of environment does attract certain people who get up to no good.
“I know the council’s private sector housing service have been working towards a solution, and I am not criticising the strenuous efforts they have already made to solve the problem, but something must be done to tackle this situation sooner.
“If it takes a letter to the private landlords from the local councillor to speed the process up then I will do that.
“The council is able to help in these situations — it might even come to a compulsory purchase of the property to sort this out.”
Ina Brown, of the commuity regeneration forum, brought the issue to the attention of the meeting and said the state of the close was a disgrace.
She said: “I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to live in a property which has been allowed to get into that state. I have lived in Albert Street for a long time and I have never seen a close get as bad as that. It is an absolute disgrace and something really needs to be done about it.”
David Macdougal, of the Stobswell Forum, said: “The close has a bit of a reputation for being in a bit of a mess.
“For a long time the exterior walls have been green and black, which suggests water has got into the stone work. If that’s the case, the situation does look to be pretty dismal. The landlords must be held accountable.”
Peter Clancy, who is set to become the chairman of the partnership, said that the group should keep an eye on the situation.
He added: “As a partnership for the area, we should look further into this situation and help support the residents in any way we can.”
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “The council is continuing to hold discussions with tenants and owners about financial support that could be available when certain criteria are met.”