A crumbling house in Bridge of Earn that is hundreds of years old will be demolished over the next two weeks.
After cracks appeared in the side of an unlisted stone farmhouse on Tuesday, August 30, Kintillo Road was shut and emergency services attended to make the location safe.
Gas mains were turned off after surveyors concluded the private house Strathnaver, which has a date plaque of 1777 on the wall, was beginning to collapse.
Perth and Kinross Council stepped in to take action and a Dangerous Building Notice was served.
Security fencing has gone up now around the house.
Local bus services, including school transport, were diverted and PKC confirm these arrangements “will remain in place for the time being”.
The council has been making arrangements for the dangerous building to be knocked down by a contractor.
On Monday, Balfour Beatty set up machinery to begin the process of dismantling the property.
It was not a moment too soon for residents of Kintillo Road who had spent five weeks unable to access their homes from the road and in some cases with their own gas supply turned off.
A PKC spokesperson said: “We understand how difficult this situation has been for residents of neighbouring properties and have been working to get the situation resolved as safely and swiftly as possible.
“A contractor has now been appointed and demolition works will start this week. It is estimated it may take up to two weeks for work to be completed.
“We have been in contact with the owner of the property and those of neighbouring buildings and will provide them with further updates if there is any change to the situation.”
A woman in her 80s had recorded events outside her home since the first day - August 30 - when a loud rumble was heard coming from the house and it became clear something was seriously wrong with the property opposite.
Mary Fotheringham (87) told the Perthshire Advertiser : “This flared up out of the blue five weeks ago today.
“All I can tell you is the woman who owns the house had some work done inside.
“There was a huge skip filled with pulled-out floor beams, plasterboard and rubble. I seen this happening just from being in my front garden.
“Then suddenly the house started to fall down. My neighbours heard it.
“The police and fire service turned up and shut the road.
“The children going to school take no notice of the barriers on Kintillo Road, the road running through the village.
“They make their way through despite the warnings to stay well away. It’s really concerning.
“My entrance gates are blocked off from the road.
“I’ve had to park my car 10 minutes walk away because of the closure. It’s meant either I walk around the houses or try and get out of my back garden to the car.
“I’m 87 and it was a case of climbing over my back garden fence. I got some help to put a stile in, but it has been a nightmare bringing my shopping home.
“I need stuff done to my house, a carpet fitted, but I can’t get workmen to come as they can’t get access.
“I’ve been really stressed out just surviving. I’m really annoyed.
“My neighbours and I have been severely inconvenienced. I’d say five houses have been impacted by this.
“Those that work in Perth are having a half mile walk to the bus.
“A lady near here has had no gas for a month and a half. She’s been going next door for a shower as she’s no hot water.
“Even if they crack on with the demolition this week, it will be several more weeks before the main road through our village will be fully open as the gas company have had to dig up the road to make repairs.”
