Council bosses in Aberdeen are poised to sell off an A-listed building designed by the city’s most famous architect for just £1.
Councillors will discuss the disposal of the Victorian, Archibald Simpson-designed Westburn House in private at next week’s city growth committee.
Derelict for nearly 20 years, the building has fallen into near-disrepair with the roof recently beginning to cave in.
In April, the authority put the property in Westburn Park on the market.
The Save Westburn House Action Group is looking to raise £300,000 by October 9 amid hopes it can fully restore the property, which they are considering turning it into a museum honouring its famed designer.
An online fundraising campaign for the group has already raised more than £3,000.
The committee will hear about any potential wider interest since Westburn House went on the market at the meeting.
However, it is believed the preferred option for the historic building is to sell it to the action group for the nominal fee of £1.
https://www.facebook.com/westburnhouse/photos/p.644585072703107/644585072703107/?type=1&theater
If approved by councillors, this would pave the way for the group to begin their plans.
Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said Aberdonians would welcome a new start for the building.
He said: “It seems like the organisation have got a good plan for the use of the building into the future.
“I know this is a treasured building for the people of Aberdeen and I’m sure they would welcome the clarity on it.”
Currently owned by the city council, a significant part of Westburn House’s structure is crumbling and it has been repeatedly targeted by vandals.
Plans put forward in recent years for its renovation have all fallen through and council insiders have said the authority is keen to offload the property.
Although £1 million revamp plans were put forward in 2004, ultimately the proposals to convert it into a new office for the city’s registrars amounted to nothing.
And in 2016, councillors approved plans for the Elgin-based company Liberty Kids to turn it into a nursery, but again, the plans proved unsuccessful.
Other community take-overs in the city in recent years include the Bonnymuir bowling green and Victoria Road school.
