Another town centre project in Ayr has bitten the dust - leaving another carbuncle in the centre of town.
Grand plans to redevelop grade-B listed Holmston House have collapsed as the ‘developer’ was plunged into administration.
Now the entire site has become overcome with weeds and long grass and a number of windows have been smashed.
Ironically it is just opposite the town’s other monstrosity, the Station Hotel.
Sources say the inside has been ransacked by thieves who have “stripped every pipe out” and taken all the wiring for scrap.
Feature fireplaces have also been stolen.
Councillor Ian Cavana was always uneasy about the plans and 18 months ago said: “What we don’t want is this becoming another Belleisle Hotel scenario where Holmston House sits and rots.”
This week Councillor Cavana said: “The alarm bells had started ringing when the company failed to get the bond they wanted against the property.
“If I had a crystal ball I would be worth a fortune just now because I could see this coming.
“I was never at ease with this company and it just wasn’t kosher at the time.”
He added: “I am sorry to see we now have two buildings in such a state within two hundred yards of each other.
“I just don’t know what we do now.”
Holmston House Ltd went into administration last month and receivers have put the 3.4 acre site on Mill Brae - the site of the original poorhouse - on the market for an undisclosed sum.
It is being marketed with existing planning permission for 30 new homes and a 66-bed care unit by the Glasgow office of Colliers.
Three ancilliary buildings were to be turned into bungalows.
Receivers Leonard Curtis confirmed they were acting for debtors, and a spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the prominence of the site and hope a buyer can be found soon.”
Directors Kenny Tomlinson and Daniel Johnson were behind the plan and based in Skelmersdale, but they resigned and Liverpool based David Cooley, managing director of Primesite came aboard before also leaving.
The beautiful blonde sandstone building, which opened in 1857, was sold by South Ayrshire Council for £1.575 million three years ago.
It had been under municipal ownership since the start and was latterly used as an adult training centre and offices by the council.
The main building is vast, with around 70 rooms.
It is understood the amount of debt is considerably more than the purchase price.
