Hopes to revitalise six derelict sites in Moray
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An old lemonade factory, a derelict pub and a disused auction mart have all been identified by Moray Council as priorities for redevelopment.
The council has compiled a list of 120 brownfield sites across Moray which it wants improved – of which six are being highlighted as priorities
Four of the six are in Buckie.
These are: the disused lemonade factory on Blairdaff Street; the old gasworks on Barron Street; McLaren’s Brae on March Road; and 1 to 3 Bank Street.
The other two are in Forres.
These are the auction mart on Tytler Street and the Castle Inn on Caroline Street.
Members of the council's planning and regulatory services committee will be asked to agree further work to identify new uses for the sites at a meeting on Tuesday.
The six sites were chosen as priorities due to their level of disrepair plus the impact on the community of them remaining vacant.
Other factors were the potential sustainable uses for the sites as well as the likelihood of them being rejuvenated without further intervention.
Money to rejuvenate the six priority sites could be available from the Scottish Government Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, the Just Transition Fund and the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.
In her report planning officer Rowena MacDougall said: “The feasibility works will include establishing contact with owners, identification of constraints, option appraisal of the suitable uses and initial design concepts.
"Should any of the shortlisted sites be found, at an early stage, not to be feasible, they will be substituted with another site."
Seven other sites fitted the criteria as priority projects.
Most of those properties are included in other redevelopment proposals such as the Moray Growth Deal and the Levelling Up Fund application.
However they will be added to the shortlist if funding bids are unsuccessful.
Five of these other seven properties are in Elgin.
They are Grant Lodge in Cooper Park, the former Jailhouse nightclub, Junners toyshop, the auction mart and old sawmill on Linkwood Road and the Elgin Club on Commerce Street.
The two others are Leanchoil Hospital at Forres and the old Grampian Pork factory in Buckie.
Councillors will be asked to delegate authority to the head of economic growth and development Jim Grant, to decide which other sites can be added to the list of priorities if any of the six identified cannot be taken forward.
