Green light givent to takeover of town centre eyesore
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A DECISION to allow Highland Council to take over an eyesore building in Thurso has been described as "a step forward but a long way from the end of the road".
Don Smith, acting chairman of the town’s community council, welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to let the local authority take over the private property at the corner of Princes Street and Sir John’s Square.
But he felt the long-running saga may have "a lot of mileage left yet."
However, Thurso Highland councillors Roger Saxon and Donnie Mackay are hoping the owner of the property will realise he has come "to the end of the road."
The owner has six weeks to appeal the decision which was made this week after a public local inquiry into the compulsory purchase application held in Thurso in March.
Mr Smith said: "We welcome this decision.
"Anything that moves this matter forward has to be welcomed as it has been going on for far too long.
"This is a step forward but a long way from the end of the road.
"I think this saga still has a lot of mileage left yet going on the past record."
Mr Smith would like to see the building restored as a house although he acknowledged that may not be financially viable.
Councillor Saxon said he was "delighted" with the decision, adding: "We have finally got there after all these years of trying.
"The owner of the building can appeal but I would hope he will realise the community and the Scottish Government wants this thing resolved and accept he has reached the end of the road.
He said he would like the owner to take the compensation offered for the building so progress could be made.
"I have no particular view about its future so long as it is back in public use and not an eyesore," stated Mr Saxon.
His Thurso colleague John Rosie was "absolutely delighted" with the compulsory purchase decision.
"It has been a long struggle and now that we have had the okay from the Scottish Government, we will do everything in our power to progress this matter and reach the stage where someone can purchase the building and restore it," he said.
Mr Rosie felt the restoration of the property should match the rest of the square and could be "a massive improvement" for the centre of the town.
"I would like to see the building back as a house but there are other alternatives which may be acceptable to the people of Thurso," he added.
Fellow local councillor Donnie Mackay was also delighted with the decision.
"The building is an eyesore so it is good we will now be able to get something done with it," he said.
Mr Mackay did not anticipate an appeal being lodged against the decision.
"I am sure that will not happen. This matter has been dragging on for so long but I think we have now reached the end of it," he said.
Mr Mackay also favoured the property being restored as a house.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said this week’s decision was "a step along a long, long road" but felt it could be some time before the building is restored.
"Once it is done up, it will be nice but I think that is a long way off yet," he added.
A Highland Council spokesman said the first step in the restoration of the property was to make it wind and watertight.
"We will then enter into discussions with people to bring this fine building back to life," he added.
Highland Buildings Preservation Trust has expressed an interest in taking over the B-listed property which comprises the house at 30 Princes Street and the adjoining former shop in Sir John’s Square.
The compulsory purchase application was opposed by owner Chaudry Rafiq Ahmed through his agent and nephew, Kamall Ahmed, and was the subject of the inquiry.
Chaudry Rafiq Ahmed died before the inquiry started.
The council acted after it claimed the corner building had been allowed to fall into disrepair.
But that was rejected by Kamall Ahmed who amassed a dossier of evidence to support his case.
He could not be contacted when the Groat went to press yesterday.
