East Renfrewshire: HES puts buildings on 'At Risk' register

However, there are fears that a number of its most treasured landmarks could literally go to the wall.

No fewer than 10 have been put on a nationwide ‘At Risk’ register by a Scottish Government conservation body.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has set up a website detailing hundreds of derelict and abandoned structures across the country which are in poor condition and in danger of disappearing.

Waulkmill Glen Reservoir drawing off tower

In particular, it has identified concerns about the Lodge House, in Cowan Park, Barrhead, three buildings at nearby Waulkmill Glen reservoir and two more in Uplawmoor, including Caldwell House.

There are also two buildings at risk in Newton Mearns, along with a cotton mill in Busby and a cemetery gatehouse in Thornliebank.

In most cases, the structures have fallen into a state of disrepair through neglect over many years.

Cowan Park was a legacy to the people of Barrhead from James Cowan, who was born in the town in 1830.

When he died, he left £10,000 to the local council – £1.3million in today’s money – to provide a park.

There is current renovation work underway to the Lodge House, involving charity Include Me 2 Club. They hope to turn it into a community hub with a cafe and meeting space.

But the structure remains on the at risk list and during a recent inspection, HES found damage to the Lodge House guttering, as well as missing roof slates, and noted that the building had been extensively vandalised with graffiti.

Patterton Tower, left, and Mearns Castle, right

Waulkmill Glen was one of the first large-scale water supply systems in Scotland and dates back to the 1840s.

Structures at risk there include a self-activating sluice, the draw off tower and a one-room building known as a regulating house.

All three buildings, say HES, are in a poor condition, badly damaged by vegetation, plants, dampness and graffiti.

The Barrhead News has previously highlighted concerns over the future of Caldwell House, which was built by Robert Adam in the late 1770s.

In November, HES said it would not object to plans to turn the iconic building into assisted living accommodation for older people.

However, Woodland Trust Scotland lodged an objection, claiming the project would have a detrimental effect on hundreds of trees in the grounds and local wildlife, including nesting birds.

Proposals for the multi-million pound redevelopment of Caldwell House include a care home, offices, café, gym and shop, as well as houses and flats for older residents.

Caldwell House was built for the wealthy Mure family but was converted into a hospital in 1927.

It was later used as a children’s home until 1985.

A decade later, a serious fire gutted the interior and caused the roof to cave in.

East Renfrewshire Council is currently considering the planning application.

Also at risk is a nearby farmhouse in Gleniffer Road, Uplawmoor, known as The Hall.

It has been derelict for several years and is boarded up.

A HES report states: “The farmhouse continues to deteriorate and there are, in addition to the significant slate loss, signs of structural failure to the roof.”

The government agency also has concerns over a disused three-storey former mill in Lower Mill Road, Busby.

Officials were alerted a year ago by a member of the public who said part of the roof had collapsed and that “deterioration continues at pace.”

Also on the At Risk register is Mearns Castle – a 15th-century tower house, in Mearns Road, Newton Mearns, built by Lord Maxwell.

In the 1600s, the castle housed soldiers and was incorporated into the Maxwell Mearns Church in 1971.

A HES report states: “The castle is extremely damp internally and externally.

“There are large green patches on the internal walls of the upper floors. The pointing is in poor condition. There are plants growing in the masonry joints.”

There are also fears over the future of 18th-century Patterton Tower, in Capelrig Road, Newton Mearns.

External inspection by HES has revealed it to be a “roofless shell.”

And there are concerns too over the disused Eastwood Cemetery Lodge House in Thornliebank.

A recent inspection revealed the building roof to be deteriorating, gutters choked with plant growth and fallen leaves, windows broken and the timber eaves decaying.

Cowan Park Gate Lodge

A HES spokesperson told the Barrhead News: “The Buildings at Risk Register is used to raise awareness of the regeneration of historic buildings through the promotion of their repair and reuse.

“It helps us understand the pressures on Scotland’s built heritage and acts as a catalyst to link potential restorers and redevelopers with suitable buildings and sites.

“HES provides guidance and specialist advice on both the maintenance and reuse of historic buildings and advises local authorities on matters relating to the historic environment.”

The spokesperson added: “It is the role of local authorities to enforce unauthorised works, including the alteration and demolition of listed buildings.

“Local councils also have the powers to seek repairs and to ensure the preservation of a listed building.

“Historic Environment Scotland aim to visit sites on the Buildings at Risk Register and review our information on a five-yearly cycle.

“Additional visits to a site may also take place should there be a need for HES to input into discussions, providing guidance and specialist advice, about a particular listed building.

“Between visits, HES exchange information with local authorities and members of the public to ensure that the Buildings at Risk Register remains current and up to date.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said:“The repair and maintenance of listed buildings is the responsibility of the owners.

“We continue to work with the owners of these buildings to help ensure their preservation and will intervene in instances where immediate issues are identified relating to the safety of the structure.

“In addition, we have ongoing discussions with HES on a range of matters relating to the built heritage of our area, as we aim to maintain it to the highest standards possible for our residents.”