‘Plot of deterioration’ cleared in Dundee’s CBD

After years of complaints to the municipality and Department of Health, highlighted through many articles in the Courier, a vacant plot opposite Eventide Home has finally been cleared.

The area in Beaconsfield Street had become a home to squatters who moved in and built shacks under the pretext of using the land for an informal recycling project.

However, the residents at Eventide Home and those living near the area became concerned about the area deteriorating into ‘a mess’ with open drug use (residents told the Courier that they often saw young men sitting in the gutter near the open plot, ‘sharing needles’), drinking in public and ‘other social activities’.

Through the Courier, SAVF manager Karen Glasgow had repeatedly urged the authorities to take action. Last Saturday, following letters issued to errant landlords by the Health Department, a grader was dispatched to the area with the backup of police officers.

Much of the area stretching towards Grey Street was cleared, while those living there expressed their rigorous objections. A fence around the area being used as a squatter camp has also been erected.

Those in the area who spoke to the Courier said they hoped that this ‘decisive action’ would put an end to ‘anti-social activity’ that has seen the deterioration of their neighbourhood.