Councillors have agreed to see off a historic Aberdeen building for just £1.
The crumbling A-listed Western House, designed by Archibald Simpson, has been derelict for 20 years and the roof has started to cave in.
Yesterday, the city’s growth committee decided in private to progress community asset transfer talks with Save Westburn House Action Group.
The group is looking to raise £300,000 by October 9 amid hopes it can fully restore the property, which they are considering turning into a museum honouring its famed designer.
Plans put forward in recent years for its renovation have all fallen through and council insiders have said the authority is keen to offload the property.
Although £1 million revamp plans were put forward in 2004, ultimately the proposals to convert it into a new office for the city’s registrars amounted to nothing.
It is unclear what other interest there has been for taking on the building since it was put on the market in April, but senior council sources have revealed the £1 option has been agreed in principle.
Gavin Esslemont, of the trust, described the news as a “huge boost” but added it was a “first step” and that further discussions would be needed with the local authority.
Midstocket and Rosemount councillor Bill Cormie, whose ward includes the property, welcomed the news.
But he added: “The group and the council will have a lot of work to do now. There are huge challenges ahead with this but I certainly wish the group every possible success.”
