PROTESTS have erupted over the sale of Thomas Muir’s 230-year-old family home, Huntershill House, as Scotland prepares to commemorate the "father of Scottish democracy" 250 years after his birth.
A day after an MP, MSP and member of East Dunbartonshire Council were announced as members of the National Committee organising events to celebrate the anniversary of Muir's birth, the local authority has been criticised for plans to sell the property to a developer for conversion into a care home.
Muir styled himself as Thomas Muir of Huntershill, and the original Georgian mansion is still just about intact, though the B-listed building has been on the "at risk" list for several years.
The plan to sell off the building to a commercial developer has enraged many people in East Dunbartonshire, and a group of residents have formed a campaign to preserve Huntershill House for community use.
Campaign leader Alex Watson told The National: “This house should be a national treasure. Instead it is a national disgrace.
“East Dunbartonshire and previous councils have allowed the building to deteriorate to such an extent that it is on the ‘at risk’ register, which says it all about their stewardship of what could be a great community asset.
“In the 250th year after his birth, it is a scandal that Thomas Muir’s home should be treated in this way.”
The National revealed yesterday that Labour Provost Una Walker and Tory Councillor Billy Hendry have joined the Muir National Committee. Local MP Jo Swinson and MSP Flora McLeod are also on the committee, which has yet to meet to discuss the Huntershill House sale.
East Dunbartonshire Council inherited the building from its predecessor councils, one of which, Strathkelvin Burgh Council, removed many of the original fixtures and fittings in the 1970s.
The Buildings at Risk register for Scotland highlights properties of architectural or historic merit throughout the country that are considered to be at risk or under threat. It is maintained by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland on behalf of Historic Scotland
Under the rules on listed buildings, Historic Scotland requires Huntershill House to be renovated as sympathetically as possible at additional cost to the developer.
The current Buildings at Risk register charts the house’s sad decline in recent years, but notes “the site includes a provision for a residential development which must include the retention and restoration of Huntershill House, ideally for a community type use.”
East Dunbartonshire Council now says Huntershill is in an extremely poor state of repair and requires a significant sum of money to renovate, while it cannot be demolished due to its listed status.
The council yesterday refused to confirm local reports that the house and the adjoining land was being sold for a mere £140,000.
The council also refused to name the developers or state exactly what was being proposed, though a nursing or care home is apparently the only option.
Thomas Glen, director of development and regeneration at East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “Huntershill House was extensively marketed as a development opportunity over a number of years and we received a number of enquiries. However, only two parties came forward with formal offers.
“East Dunbartonshire Council’s Development and Regeneration Committee agreed at a meeting on January 28, 2014 to progress with the sale of Huntershill House and associated land.
“As the sale is commercially sensitive it would be inappropriate to comment on specifics, except to emphasise that the council is committed to achieving best value.
“The proposed purchaser has been working on the design proposal and liaising with Historic Scotland to obtain its agreement. If and when that is in place – and planning consent has been granted – we will be able to conclude the sale.
“The proposed development – if it goes ahead – presents an opportunity to preserve the integrity of this building.
“It is worth noting that the sale of Huntershill House ties in with the development of the nearby Huntershill sports project – with plans for a new changing pavilion, a 3G floodlit sports pitch, a six-lane running track, three tennis courts, upgraded sports pitches, access road, fencing and parking.”
It is Scottish history, not sport, that concerns the local campaigners. Watson said: “The House has not been looked after and the fact is that the council did not properly market the building.
“The documentation that we have seen says that the house must be used as a nursing or care home. Huntershill House just does not lend itself to becoming a nursing home, but it would make a fine museum or cultural centre associated with Thomas Muir.
“We must also query the price we have been told – £140,000. The car park alone is worth more than that.”
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