Construction bosses are being called upon to provide “absolute clarity” on their reasoning for work at an Aberdeen city centre building site during lockdown.
Housing minister Kevin Stewart has written to developer Dandara, police and the council calling for a probe into the need at this time for the works at The Triple Kirks.
Angry residents contacted The Press And Journal when workers were spotted laying paving at the building site near, the public pavement in Schoolhill.
Others were seen working closely together, seemingly at odds with social distancing rules.
The Scottish Government has called for all non-essential construction sites to close.
Dandara is erecting a 342-bed mainly student accommodation development on the site of the former 19th Century churches, designed by the city’s most famous architect Archibald Simpson.
The plans maintain the recognisable spire of the A-listed church building.
Concerns were put to a Dandara spokesman earlier this week, who said safety was “the highest priority at all times” and that “a limited scope of works” had been been undertaken to enable that.
Mr Stewart, the Aberdeen Central MSP, has asked Dandara managing director Gavin Wyley to set out exactly what the scope and purpose of these works were, as well as to outline what measures are in place to ensure safe social distancing.
He has also penned a letter to north-east police commander Campbell Thomson asking if the firm has broken the law, and requested the council’s top official Angela Scott look into environmental health concerns raised.
Mr Stewart said: “Non-essential construction work should cease – that is the clear guidance from the Scottish Government on this matter so I completely understand why folk in Aberdeen are concerned to see workers on shift at the Triple Kirks student accommodation site.
“This should be checked out as absolutely all of us, from big business to the man in the street, must follow the government guidance.
He added: “Dandara must provide absolute clarity on what work is being carried out and what it is doing to ensure social distancing amongst the workers.
“The people of Aberdeen have followed the government guidelines well and we must ensure business does too.”
Dandara were given the opportunity to respond to Mr Stewart’s comments.