The site, which is in one of the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland, was transferred to West Lothian Council after a successful application demonstrated community support and the value to the public of the new housing provision.
Under the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme, run by the KLTR, ownerless land and buildings – typically most recently owned by a dissolved company – are transferred to a local authority or local community group for a nominal sum so they can be used in the public interest. Sites recently transferred under the Scheme include Campsie High Kirk, a historic church damaged by fire and transferred to a community group for use as an arts hub; land at Muirkirk, East Ayrshire, the site of a former filling station which is being transformed into a garden and picnic stop; and the former Royal Hotel at Slamannan, Falkirk, a former eyesore transferred to Falkirk Council and demolished to make way for much-needed green space.
Bobby Sandeman, Chief Executive of the KLTR office, welcomed the transfer. He said “We’re delighted to be able to make this transfer following a compelling application by West Lothian Council. The Council clearly demonstrated how the planned use of this ownerless land would be transformative for the local area, improving economic sustainability in the longer term as well as meeting an acute housing need. This is the first OPTS transfer specifically for the purpose of providing affordable housing, and it’s likely that there will be more in the future, especially as we look proactively for ownerless properties across Scotland which could be brought back into purposeful use”.
West Lothian Council, along with several other Scottish local authorities, declared a housing emergency last summer as the housing waiting list grew to nearly 12,000.
More information about the OPTS and the KLTR’s work can be found on the website at www.kltr.gov.uk.