A historic Deeside hospital destroyed in a massive blaze could rise from the ashes.
The owners of Glen O’Dee Hospital, Banchory, have confirmed it is looking into ways of redeveloping the site of the A-listed sanatorium.
Forbes Homes also revealed it had experienced a “large number of break-ins” at the site in the years leading up to the incident on October 13, despite security measure being put in place.
Some 65 firefighters fought a huge blaze at the building after it broke out on October 13, spending almost 19 hours bringing it under control.
Two 13-year-old boys have since been charged in connection with the fire.
Michael Lorimer – a spokesman for Forbes Homes and associate at commercial property firm, Ryden – could not confirm if the hospital would be brought back as a like-for-like replacement.
However he added: “Forbes Homes are still keen to redevelop the site and will continue to engage with the council going forward.
“Until such time as we fully understand the extent of the damage caused and the associated contamination and clean up costs it is difficult to say.
“Forbes Homes were very disappointed and saddened that an act of mindless vandalism could result in such catastrophic damage to the building but also relieved that nobody was hurt or worse.”
Earlier in the year Forbes Homes had applied for planning permission to redevelop the site into homes and flats.
Mr Lorimer added no action had been taken to redevelop the site prior to the fire due to a number of factors, including “a combination of a long planning history, the complexities of the old hospital building and varying housing market conditions”.
Glen O’Dee was built in 1900 as a sanatorium for patients suffering from tuberculosis.
It was used as World War II billet for troops, a hotel and a home for the elderly before closing in 1998.