A former psychiatric hospital which has fallen into disrepair has been sold.
Kingseat Hospital, in Newmachar, was closed in 1999 before being taken over by Avant Homes which subsequently built 300 houses at the site.
However the developer was accused of failing to preserve the historic hospital buildings and construct a children’s play park.
Now another firm ZTK, which is understood to already own the former administration block, has purchased the remaining buildings.
However there still remains concern in the community that the derelict buildings will be left in their current state.
Carrie Zeiler, a member of the Kingseat Community Association, said: “As far as we understand the company that is buying it own the administration block here and nothing has happened with that for years, so to be honest, we don’t hold out much hope for anything changing.”
East Garioch councillor Martin Ford instigated a report earlier this year to find out what measures could be taken by the council to ensure the development was finished.
Mr Ford said: “Regardless of ownership the imperative is to get the development completed, including the provision of a children’s play park, as soon as possible.
“I have been pressuring the council to use whatever powers it has to that end.”
Planning officers have now placed an enforcement notice alleging that Avant has breached conditions at the site by not building the play park in line with the original planning permission.
Avant Homes confirmed ownership would be transferred at the end of November.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm we have agreed the sale of the Kingseat site in Newmachar to ZTR Investments.
“We will continue to manage security operations on the site until the end of November 2017, after which time responsibility will be transferred to the new owners.”
Alok Wanchoo is listed with Companies House as the sole director of ZTK, with the firm registered to an address in Manchester.
However, he could not be reached for comment.
