By stewartb

It’s unfortunate that the specific derelict site in Dumfries is not named. From the picture, I wonder if it is what is referred to locally as the ‘former Interfloor factory’?

For information and interest, a search of the official record of the Scottish Parliament shows that the SNP MSP for South Scotland, Emma Harper has been campaigning for the problem of derelict sites locally to be solved.

In August 2022, Harper together with Heathhall Community Council launched a public petition: ‘to call on Dumfries and Galloway Council to take immediate and effective action to address the vacant, derelict, and abandoned former Interfloor Factory, Heathhall, Dumfries.’

The text of the petition included this: ‘Dumfries and Galloway Council have stated that the former factory building and powerhouse is a Category B listed building and there is a presumption in favour of its retention and sensitive conversion to a new use. The Council have stated that demolition is a last resort and should be avoided wherever possible. However, partial demolition of the building could be required. 


‘Over the years, numerous efforts have been made by the Heathhall Community Council, and members of the respective communities of Locharbriggs and Heathhall, as well as by elected members, to address this building and to find an appropriate use for it, and its associated land. However, aside from one Development Brief in 2019, and a metal fence around the site, Dumfries and Galloway Council have not pursued a comprehensive development plan to address this eyesore site.’ (my emphasis)

And it also has this: ‘We are aware that Dumfries and Galloway Council have, in the past, stated that they do not have the required financial resources to be able to take any steps to rectify the former Interfloor Factory. However, a recent request, to Dumfries and Galloway Council, has shown that the Council have the following level of reserve finances available:
– General Reserve £8.1 Million


• Specific Reserves £62.6 Million

• Covid Reserve £7.6 Million
• Unallocated £11.7 Million.

‘We are also aware that other Scottish Local Authorities, including Scottish Borders Council and Edinburgh City Council, have repurposed reserve funding, including Covid-19 funds, for other projects. We therefore call on Dumfries and Galloway Council, if required, to allocate a proportion of its unallocated reserves to begin action to address the eyesore former Interfloor Factory.’

Coming up to date, this D&G Council paper dated November 5, 2024 refers to the same derelict site: https://dumfriesgalloway.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s62464/Vacant%20and%20Derelict%20Land%20-%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf

‘4.11.3 During earlier work to resolve issues at this site, engagement with representatives of DCR DG1 Limited (site owner) was carried out with the aim of both securing the site and identifying a long-term use. It has recently come to light that this company has now been dissolved, meaning that the factory is ‘bona vacantia’ (ownerless). Where a company is dissolved still owning assets, these fall to the Crown in terms of the Companies Acts.’

‘4.11.4 The King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR) is the Crown’s representative in Scotland with authority to deal with property falling to the Crown by operation of law. This includes the land, assets and other rights of dissolved companies. Dumfries and Galloway Council has made the KLTR aware that DCR DG1 Limited has been dissolved and have been engaging with them further on this matter. The KLTR has three years from becoming aware of the Crown interest to decide whether or not to disclaim a dissolved company’s assets.

‘4.11.5 The KLTR operates the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS), which launched on 1 March 2024. The OPTS provides opportunities for local authorities, public bodies and appropriately constituted community bodies to acquire property at cost recovery value, often well below market value. The Scheme aims to bring ownerless property back into productive use and thus help to meet local aspirations.

‘4.11.6 The KLTR’s role is based on the common law principle that ownerless property may be dealt with by the Crown. If an asset becomes bona vacantia, the Crown can choose to deal with it if it wishes to – but it is not obliged to. The Crown’s right to bona
vacantia is a right peculiar to the Crown and differs from a conventional right of ownership. The Council’s engagement with the KLTR continues and Members will be notified of their intentions at the earliest opportunity.‘ (i.e. the ‘Crown’s’ intentions.)

‘4.11.8 Long term site uses would be focussed on the objectives set out in the LDP (Local Development Plan) for the site, which is allocated for mixed use development including residential, commercial, and leisure uses. Discussions with South of Scotland Enterprise have commenced with the intention of ensuring they are able to support this work. A further report will be brought back to the next meeting of Economy and Infrastructure Committee with additional detail regarding both the KLTR, and ongoing engagement with partner organisations.’