Future uses for Interfloor factory near Dumfries examined

A council is being asked to spend £50,000 on a study into the potential future uses of a “notorious eyesore” on the outskirts of Dumfries.

The former Interfloor building at Heathhall – originally built as a car factory – has fallen into serious disrepair after sitting vacant for years.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has been weighing up some form of facilitating role in redeveloping the site after it was declared ownerless.

It is regularly a target of vandals but local people are split over whether it should be demolished or redeveloped.

A report to councillors said a number of parties had expressed an interest in redeveloping the sprawling site.

However, it said feedback suggested that a partnership or consortium approach might be favoured as the risks remained “high” for individual developers.

It added that, while Historic Environment Scotland (HES) wanted to see as much of the listed building as possible retained, it did recognise some demolition might be required.

The council is being recommended to continue its work to facilitate the regeneration of the site.

That would not go as far as taking ownership of the property due to the “potential additional risks” at the moment but that has not been ruled out at a later date.

In the meantime, a feasibility study would examine the condition of the building and the uses it could be put to, whether residential, commercial or leisure.

If approved, the appraisal could provide a clearer picture of what might be possible at the Heathhall site – from restoration to potential redevelopment – and help attract interest from investors or development partners.

Council convener Katie Hagmann said: “We know how important it is to the Heathhall community and the wider Dumfries area that something is finally done about the former Interfloor factory site.

“It has been lying derelict for far too long and, although it isn’t a council-owned property, we can’t just stand by and let this historic building continue to decay.

“This is about the council doing everything possible to encourage regeneration and find a positive future for this derelict site.”