Iconic Lossiemouth house to be compulsorily purchased by Moray Council
MORAY Council will pursue compulsory purchase of Braelossie – the derelict property which has lain empty for 20 years on Lossiemouth’s Prospect Terrace.
It was agreed this morning at a meeting of the full council to promote the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), which would see the council purchase the property before selling it on the open market.
The large residential building is currently split into two flats, and has had to be secured on numerous occasions by the council’s building standards officers.
A report to councillors outlined the ‘accelerated deterioration’ condition of the property, which is no longer wind and watertight after suffering extensive fire damage in 2015. It was made the subject of a demolition order following the blaze.
Local Councillor, John Cowe, said: " I have been pushing for this from the first day I was elected to Moray Council over 4 and a half years ago, and I'm glad to see a conclusion for the residents along that street who had to put up with this situation for far too long."
It is hoped that the CPO will allow the building to be brought back into residential use, and councillors were reminded again of the high level of interest in the site, which overlooks Lossiemouth East Beach and beyond.
Now Moray Council is preparing to ask for the CPO to be granted by Scottish Government Ministers for the property, which is on the Building at Risk Register for Scotland.
Convener of Moray Council and local councillor, James Allan, said he was delighted the council had taken the initiative to bring the property back to life.
“This is good news for all those that live along that street; it’s been a haven for vandalism and squatters, a real eyesore in a prime spot,” he said.
“Visitors to Lossie make a bee-line for this street to get the best views of the beach, Moray Firth and surrounding countryside. It must be one of the best locations in the town, if not the whole coast.
“I don’t expect there will be any shortage of interest in the property once it is placed on the market.”
Attempts to make contact with the last registered owner have failed to produce any response. Legislation allows the authority to apply for a CPO or enforce a demolition order when all other attempts to address issues at the site have been unsuccessful.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.