Historic building left to the elements
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THE FUTURE of a local eyesore remains unclear while the owner ignores requests for an update.
Work on improvements to Castlehill Church, a prominent High Street building that was well-used by the community for over 100 years, stopped last summer after local contractors appeared to make it safe by reinforcing a collapsing wall and roof section on the Post Office side.
According to the Buildings At Risk register for Scotland, the church's condition is poor and its category of risk high but it is for sale at £99,000 plus fees.
Moray Councillor George Alexander has been monitoring the situation for some time.
He said: "The building has a design fault in that the rainwater from the roof was conducted to the ground by means of a pipe which actually was conveyed through the inside of the building.
"Over the years, the effect of leaks led to considerable rotting of the timbers and steady decline of the buildings structural condition.
"After it had become unusable, the congregation of St Laurence Church were extremely relieved when they managed to sell the building for £5000 to an Irishman I believe."
He added: "The new owner managed to move the building on, at a considerable profit, to a lady from very far south of here, who clearly had more money than she had knowledge of the building.
"Over recent years the council’s building control, environmental health and health and safety departments have been involved in making sure that the building was made safe, in order to remove any risk to the public."
Jenny Smith runs the Incredible Edible garden in the church grounds and knows the owner.
She said: "A door had been left open at the side of the church so I contacted the council and someone came and locked it from the inside.
"There is a section at the side of the church that does not have a roof, however, it is next to a section that has been rebuilt.
"As far as I am aware the building has been made sound and water proof, and there do not seem to be pigeons about any longer which is good news!"
A council spokesman denied that part of the roof was missing.
He added: "It’s a small lean-to element of the building and was part of the remedial works to be done. It is not a derelict site, and we have no safety concerns."
Finally, Historic Environment Scotland confirmed their longstanding involvement with Castlehill Church, having last visited in late 2017 to discuss stabilisation works and future use.
A spokesperson said: "We understand that the building has been largely secured against collapse, however it is still unused and is not fully maintained.
"We have been in contact with Moray Council’s planning department who are seeking an update on the building’s condition and plans for its future.
"Demolition of listed buildings should only be considered after all other options have been exhausted.
"We would be delighted to meet any prospective owners to discuss the building’s potential for new uses."
Despite being contacted on numerous occasions by the Gazette, owner Claire Love has not replied.
