Town centre concerns

Members of Kilsyth Community Council were worried that the council was not enforcing its powers to ensure buildings and garden areas are kept up to standard in the conservation area.

Lorna Bowden, business manager (strategic planning) at NLC, said: “Any private property that received a grant through the Kilsyth Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme, which ran from 2008 to 2011, is required to maintain the improved works to that standard for at least five years as part of the grant agreement.

“However, the council only has limited powers to try and prevent serious deterioration of unoccupied buildings where they are listed.

“That said, we can help and advise owners of private property as to how maintenance is best undertaken to maintain the character and value of the property.”