Media Release: Scotland’s ‘ghost village’ set for new future

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AN abandoned village in Argyll & Bute is a step closer to being regenerated after being brought to the market by leading Scottish property consultants, CKD Galbraith.

CKD Galbraith is handling the sale of the 25-acre site which presently contains the former oil workers’ accommodation at Pollphail Village, on behalf of administrators, Brian Milne and Eileen Blackburn, of French Duncan LLP.

Pollphail, which overlooks Loch Fyne, would be suitable for a range of uses, supported by the designation of the land as a Potential Development Area. The most likely use is for residential homes and associated facilities.

Says a spokesperson: “Previous proposals for the site have included plans for five detached houses on part of the site and planning consent for demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a new settlement and ancillary buildings.

“Widely referred to as the ‘ghost village’, Pollphail was constructed at a cost understood to be in the region of £3.3 million to meet the demands of the UK oil boom of the 1970’s.

“The village was constructed to provide living accommodation for oil platform construction workers who were to work at the construction yard a short distance to the north (now the Portavadie Marina complex).

“It was intended for the yard to build concrete platform systems to meet the demand of the North Sea oil boom.

“However, it transpired that the industry moved on quickly and most of the demand was for steel platform systems instead. Accordingly, no orders were placed for the concrete platform systems and the project was shelved without any of the workers occupying Pollphail Village. The village has lain unoccupied for over 35 years.”

The site has attracted the attention of urban artists and documentary filmmakers – in 2009, six street artists known as Agents of Change decorated Pollphail’s walls and the village featured in a short documentary film directed by Matt Lloyd, which premiered at the Inverness Film Festival.

Harry Stott of CKD Galbraith said: “The village has a fascinating and chequered history mired by financial scandal when it was originally built, but there is something about the property that really captures the imagination. The site has lain empty for over 35 years and is a bit of an eyesore to local residents and visitors alike. If you can see beyond the dereliction, Pollphail occupies a fantastic position over looking Loch Fyne with views towards the Mull of Kintyre particularly when the previous planning consents are considered.

“The site has huge potential as a development site within an attractive setting and naturally stunning surroundings.  The site is suitable for a range of uses although we suspect most interest will revolve around residential homes.

“This is an exciting opportunity for someone to take on, the Cowal Peninsula is a popular tourist and holiday destination and the site may be suitable for second homes or holiday homes and could compliment the significant investment made nearby at Portavadie Marina.”

For further information on Pollphail, please visit http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/PER120088/Portavadie

ENDS

For further information please contact Laura Maddison or Gary McQueen at Media House on 0141 220 6040 or email: laura@mediahouse.co.uk / gary@mediahouse.co.uk.

For more information on Pollphail, please contact Harry Stott at CKD Galbraith on 01738 451111 or email: harry.stott@ckdgalbraith.co.uk

About CKD Galbraith:

CKD Galbraith is an independent property consultancy specialising in serving the needs of private clients. It employs over 200 people in offices in Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, Cupar, Inverness, Aberfeldy, Castle Douglas, Ayr, Elgin, Galashiels, Kelso and Peebles.

The partnership provides the full range of property consulting services across the commercial, residential and rural sectors throughout Scotland. The company enjoys a successful relationship with its associate firm in London, CKD Kennedy Macpherson.

CKD Galbraith’s commercial arm delivers commercial property intelligence across a range of services, including Asset Management, Investment and Agency (Acquisition and Disposal), Development and Project Co-Ordination, Property and Facilities Management, Professional Services, Valuation, Rating, Planning and Building Surveying.

For more information on CKD Galbraith visit www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk

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