AN ACTION group is being formed to put pressure on developers and tackle concerns at an “iconic” listed building in Alloa.

The town’s community council held an urgent public meeting on Friday as “grave” concerns over safety, security, anti-social behaviour and a potential fire are growing at the B-listed Greenfield House, which has now lain empty for years.

The former council offices at Greenfield House were sold to developers Kapital Residential Ltd and planning permission was given by Clackmannanshire Council for its redevelopment into sheltered housing two years ago.

However, the plans appear to be stalling and concerns over youths entering the building have been raised with the Advertiser as far back as October last year.

Clackmannanshire South representative Councillor Craig Holden said: “I think it was a very positive meeting, there were a lot of people who are frustrated by the situation at Greenfield.

“But that was shared by all parties – not only members of the community – but elected members, elected officials, community council and the police as well.

“(They) have all expressed an unhappiness with the situation and we are looking for a way forward collectively.”

The action group will be looking at what more could be done to ensure the building is developed rather than lost and that the area is uplifted.

Cllr Holden is looking to discuss the issue with newly-appointed council chief executive Nikki Bridle and the original planning application is going under the microscope to see if there’s any detail over which the council could take legal action.

The SNP representative added: “The most important thing from the action group is that we all have a shared range of concerns and we’ll all be looking to put pressure on this company to take action. We all want to see the same result: we all want to ensure that Greenfield is made safe and that the whole area is uplifted again – the way it was supposed to be by this company when they put in the planning application.”

It's also hoped Historic Environment Scotland could become involved as the building is listed.

Local historian Robert Dingwall, who raised concerns over a potential fire, said: “All comments, explanations and excuses – along with complete absence of any appearance of, or defence by, the owner – fail abysmally to safeguard this iconic building from our primary and abundantly clear real concern: risk of fire!”

Kapital Residential Ltd failed to respond when invited to comment by the Advertiser.