Enterprise company HIE Moray commissioned the report on the Cabrach.

That followed the decision by the Scottish Government to block Moray Council's proposed closure of the two pupil Cabrach School.

The local community has called for regeneration of the area and has been in talks with HIE Moray.

The final report is due to be published soon and Francizka Smith, development manager with HIE Moray, said it will act as a base to kick start regeneration.

"The report highlights the number of vacant properties in various states of disrepair," she said.

"There are only two pupils at the school and the way to get more people into the school is to have more housing."

The majority of the properties in need of renovation are under the ownership of local estate owner Christopher Moran.

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has been liaising with Mr Moran in a bid to push through a regeneration plan.

Ms Smith said HIE Moray's main remit was to work with the local community association.

She insisted the impetus for regeneration had to be community-led.

"We are not in the business of telling anyone what to do and we will work at their (community) pace. It is a very fragile community."

Helena Sierakowska, chair of the Cabrach Community Association, welcomed the report.

"It is an excellent report and reflects what has happened in the Cabrach over the last 25 years. It is an excellent foundation on which to move forward," she said.

The community association is in talks with an Aberdeen group, Tenants First, about buying land and building some local affordable housing.

And Mrs Sierakowska revealed some positive news on the school front.

"A new family with three children has moved in two days ago and one of them is school age. We have had enquiries from other areas from people wanting to send their children to the school.

"Everything is rolling along and looking pretty good at the moment," she added.

The reports highlight the lack of infrastructure and facilities in the area.

The former village hall is beyond repair, there is a local pub, the Grouse Inn, and while the school is available to the community its layout does not lend itself to widescale use in the evenings.

HIE Moray has given some funding to the community association to produce a regular newsletter to keep people informed of developments.

"We have got the building blocks in place ready to support them. Housing is definitely the first issue and the question of who owns the houses and who is going to pay," said Ms Smith.

Tourism is another key ingredient in boosting the local economy, she added. HIE Moray is involved with a Huntly tourism group in progressing a Strathbogie to Cabrach trail.

Ancestral heritage is also set to be an important factor, particularly with 2009 being the Year of Homecoming in Scotland.

Mr Lochhead met HIE Moray chiefs last Friday to discuss the report and options for regenerating the area.

"It is vital that every effort is now made to regenerate the Cabrach community. I met with HIE Moray and I have their agreement to participate in a short life working group involving local agencies and the community to bring forward support for the community," he said.

He is hopeful that HIE Moray and Moray Council, working with other agencies, will be able to draw up a range of measures to give Cabrach a second chance.

Mr Lochhead said he had a very positive meeting with landowner Mr Moran, who has expressed a willingness to work with the local community to bring about regeneration.

c.saunderson@northern-scot.co.uk

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