A SERIES of dangerous buildings at Dreghorn are set to be destroyed by the Ministry of Defence.
The derelict buildings at Dreghorn Mains Farm have been in the control of the MoD since the Second World War, when it was used as a military base.
In recent years the converted farm site has fallen into disrepair, and now the MoD sees no option bu
t to demolish the buildings.
In a report to the council, Defence Estates, the planning arm of the MoD, said the buildings had been unoccupied since the early 1990s, although it is understood they have been used on occasion by Army contractors.
Over the years the lack of use has left the buildings open to vandalism, with damage caused to most parts of the buildings.
This has included "numerous" small fires being set inside the old stone structures and damage to both exterior and internal walls and the roofs.
The local community has also raised concerns with the MoD that the site, not far from the Army's Dreghorn Barracks, was being used as a gathering place for local teenagers.
Efforts to secure the site, including new gates at the perimeter wall and blocking off doors and windows, have failed to keep the trouble-making teens out.
Now the unsafe condition of the buildings has led the MoD to request permission to have the majority of them destroyed.
Local councillor Eric Barry, who lives close to the site, said it was high time the buildings were brought down.
He said: "This site has been owned by the MoD since the Second World War, and it looks that way.
"The buildings are now in a very dangerous situation and sadly it is the case that a big empty building is fascinating to youngsters, so there has been a lot of concern about accidents there.
"I am a parent myself, and so I would certainly welcome the demolition of these buildings, as they serve no purpose whatsoever.
"It will be interesting to see what the Army uses the site for, and I would hope they might create a ranger station for the Pentland Park, or some other community facility."
He added that the site's location next to the City Bypass meant it was unlikely to be seen as a good spot for residential development.
Eight of the 12 former farm buildings on the site are to be entirely demolished under the proposals, which have yet to go before the council.
The remaining four will have work carried out to make them secure, including removal of fire damaged areas, loose tiles and debris, and the blocking up of all ground floor openings to ensure there is no access to the buildings.
A spokesman for the MoD said it was planning the demolition to ensure there was no continuing health and safety risk
He added that there was no detail available on any future plans for the site.
The full article contains 492 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
