Buildings at 5–7 and 9–11 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh have deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance by their private owners and now pose a significant risk to public safety.
To protect the public, East Clyde Street (A814) is closed to vehicles and pedestrians between Sinclair Street and Maitland Street. Access remains available to homes and businesses east of the affected buildings. (See map below.)
Argyll and Bute Council’s Building Standards team has been regularly inspecting the properties and carrying out essential safety works under statutory powers where necessary. The Council has also been exploring redevelopment opportunities, although progress has been complicated by the site's multiple ownerships.
Recent inspections identified a partial collapse of the gable wall at 5–7 East Clyde Street. Independent structural engineers have advised that there is a high risk of further deterioration and collapse.
The closure will remain in place until the buildings can be made safe. This is likely to require partial or full demolition.
We thank local businesses and the community for their support during this time.
News and updates
29 July 2006
The Councils Building Standards Team is actively involved in working towards a resolution to the dangerous buildings on East Clyde Street. This is a large and complex situation with multiple owners and occupants of two separate buildings.
The latest actions include a further structural engineer’s report with a demolition specification included, commissioned by the council, and confirmation of property ownership.
As a result of these actions, the Council withdrew the original Dangerous Building Notice dated 9 June, on the 27 July 2026, and issued two new Dangerous Buildings Notices one for each building. These notices were served on all owners requiring the demolition of the properties with works to start by 17 August 2026.
The notices state that owners need to liaise with the council regarding access to the existing exclusion zone around the dangerous building and that full demolition of the building must go ahead to ensure public safety as outlined in the structural engineer’s report.
The council does not have the legal power to demolish the dangerous building, which is in multiple private ownerships, without going through the appropriate legal process. We can only carry out works in default of the Dangerous Buildings Notice under the Building (Scotland) Act. Owners currently have 21 days to appeal those notices, issued on 27 July. If there are no actions or proposals from the owners and the notice is not legally challenged, only then can the council undertake works in default of the notice.
Public safety remains a priority for the Council, and we are encouraging the private owners to work with the council so we can lift current restrictions to vehicles once demolition is complete and the area made safe for the public.
Thank you to local businesses and the community for your continued understanding.
10 July 2026
The Council is again appealing to building owners to take action for the benefit of everyone following a third meeting with owners to discuss a solution for the dangerous buildings on East Clyde Street Helensburgh.
The state of the buildings is making the area unsafe for use and has led to road closures.
Unfortunately, there is no consensus with the property owners with two of the owners formally challenging the Dangerous Buildings Notice to Dumbarton Sheriff Court. The Council has limited powers in these matters with the latest action delaying matters further as we follow the necessary legal process.
We will continue to engage with the owners and our structural engineer, to consider our legal position under the Buildings (Scotland) Act and to ensure that public safety is protected through the road closure and diversions.
The safety of pedestrians and road users remains a priority. We have implemented a 12-month Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to manage traffic safely and to enable legal processes and works to complete. We will make every effort to minimise this timescale.
We would like to thank local businesses and the community for your ongoing support as we encourage the property owners to take responsible action.
Further updates will follow.
