ACTION to secure a future for a burgh hall derelict for more than 20 years is urgently needed, residents have said.

Whiteinch Burgh Halls, which was last used as social work premises, has been decaying ever since it was closed in 2002.

People living in the adjacent tenement building have suffered from damp and mould, and fear for their safety if it is allowed to deteriorate further.

The building complex on the corner of Inchlee Street and Victoria Park Drive South is visibly in a serious state of disrepair.

Glasgow Times:

The council said work will soon start but people have seen plans before that have come to nothing.

READ HERE: How people want a derelict building in the Southside demolished

Nancy Kelly has lived in a flat next door to the halls for four years.

She said water coming from the building was causing dampness and mould in her flat and her neighbour's upstairs and the council paid for work to have it repaired.

She said: “I’ve had to call the police when it has been broken into.

“It is such a striking building but if they are not going to do anything with it, then demolish it.

“I’m living in fear of it going on fire.”

Glasgow Times:

Maisie McCrae, chair of Whiteinch Community Council, said it was offered to the community council for £1 at one point.

She said: “The Community Council is concerned. It is not just the look of it. There are people living here next to it. If a fire happens there could be a fatality.”

The Buildings at Risk Register describes the halls as in a “poor” condition and the level of risk is “high”.

It notes that there was a “possible project" to turn it into homes in 2008.

Since then nothing has happened other than some “essential and remedial repairs” including “roof repairs, electrical repairs, stonework and removal of vegetation”.

Glasgow Times:

It states the building is “declared surplus to requirements”.

READ HERE: The building is next to Whiteinch Library which was saved from closure after a local campaign

A report from 2015 notes there are no plans for marketing the site and that no recent proposals to reuse the property have been received.

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow Labour MSP, visited the building to meet local people.

He said: “I’m open-minded as to what can be done with it. Facade retention is one possibility.

“There is demand for housing in the area, it could be social housing.

“We need to test the viability for marketing it.”

Eunis Jassemi, Labour councillor for Victoria Park, said: “I will be looking to speak to housing associations and private investors and developers.

“We need to engage with people. It’s been empty for years, something should have been done long before now.”

The council says action on the property will be coming soon.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “Work to guarantee the future structural integrity of Whiteinch Burgh Hall - to make the building safe internally - will soon take place.   

“The building will also soon be marketed, with a view to attracting organisations who will have a sustainable operational use for the hall.”