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A derelict building in the middle of a housing estate has been branded an “eyesore” by local residents who claim rats have been spotted running around the site. Locharbriggs Social Club closed its doors in September 2020 after operating for more than 40 years.
The decision was made because the once-popular venue was no longer financially viable. Since then, it’s been lying empty and has fallen into a state of disrepair.
An application to Dumfries and Galloway Council to build 26 affordable homes at the site on Auchencrieff Road was submitted last August, but withdrawn by the applicant in December. Fed up residents claim the area around the former club is being used as a “dumping ground” with rubbish being set on fire regularly and children using it as a “playpark”.
One woman, whose back garden looks on to the site, said: “It’s an absolute disgrace. I’ve spent a fortune doing up the garden just for us to end up looking on to a mess.
“It’s nothing but a rat-infested bombsite and it’s time something was done about it. My cat has been over there and has brought back dead rats.
“Children are playing on the piles of rubbish which include an old sofa and broken toilets. It’s frightening because it feels like it’s just a matter of time before one of them are seriously injured.
“We received a letter a few months ago telling us there were plans to build houses on the land but it’s come to nothing. There would have been no objections to that because anything would be better than what it’s like just now.
“It’s a health and safety hazard.”
Community stalwart John Caskie MBE, who is chairman of Locharbriggs Community Centre, has also been approached by locals complaining about the state of the site. He has contacted the Lochar ward councillors in a bid for action to be taken.
He said: “I have been approached by residents regarding the state of the former Locharbriggs Social Club in Auchencrieff Road along with the fly-tipping at the rear of the premises near to the Caledonian Cycle Way. I took a walk along the area and could hardly believe what I found.
“The door of the building has been knocked in, there’s glass everywhere and the place is very much derelict and run down, with windows smashed at the rear and it’s looking in a sorry state. At the back, there are rubbish bags, broken toilets, a sofa, old clothes, chairs, wood and much more.
“The site is very near the old rubber works factory in Heathhall, and folk in Locharbriggs are already asking if the former social club is going the same way. I personally feel its an accident waiting to happen.
“Folk walk dogs in the area, children use the cycle way to go to and from school and use the path down into the club car park as a shortcut. The rodent problem that was evident in the past could and likely will return.”
Mr Caskie added: “I’m hoping we can work with the council to get this area back to what it should be, and not a hazard to people who use the area, on a regular basis.”
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