A derelict Peterhead building will be on the market once again in a last ditch attempt to find a buyer for the council property.
Glenugie Business Centre will be up for sale for three months, from now until September, as councillors are still optimistic the property can sell despite being on the market since 2016.
The property, along with the conjoined Windmill Street building, has been on the market since 2016 for £450,000 but has lain empty since because the authority could not agree terms with a mystery buyer.
Since that point it was confirmed that council officers were considering options, including demolition to make use for affordable housing or car parking.
But now, the Buchan area committee has decided to give the former school a second chance, and will now list the building for three months, following closed door
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discussions.
There has been some renewed interest from potential buyers, which prompted councillors to request quick progress on re-marketing it.
Norman Smith, chairman of the committee, said: “We are all universally keen to see progress with this prominent site.
“We have now given a timescale for the development to come forward and if all or parts of these buildings can be retained, we would welcome that.
“But we must also see clear progress and if interest cannot be confirmed it will be in the public’s interest to see the site cleared for future reuse.”
However it was agreed that demolition could still be on the table to make way for parking.
A move which Peterhead South and Cruden councillor Stephen Calder would be an “act of civil vandalism”.
Mr Calder, who had pushed for the discussions to be held in public, has fought to have the 1877 building listed but has so far been unsuccessful.
In October, the committee will discuss any offers submitted or consider other options on what to do with the site.
Two-years-ago, an offer was accepted in principle for the properties following months of negotiations, but during the attempts to conclude the sale the offer was substantially reduced.
The council rejected the bid from the mystery buyer, who had revised their offer to £120,000 after it emerged asbestos removal work would need to be carried out, at an estimated cost of £160,000.
