Turriff Care Home back on the market after community got its hopes up
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A former care home in Turriff which has sat empty for more than half a decade appears to be back on the market...just weeks after locals got their hopes up that the building was to be brought back to life.
Grampian Online reported in March that optimism about the building's future was growing after enquiries were made on social media about how the building could best be used to benefit the community.
These enquiries were brought forward by Durham-based Turiff Properties who had secured the building - which has set empty since Turriff Care Home closed in 2015 - at auction in February.
It would appear this excitement was short lived, however, with the property now being listed to be brought under the hammer at auction again this Thursday (May 6).
The 45-bedroom property, on Woodlands Crescent, is now listed by Auction House London with a guide price of £195,000 however it has not been confirmed that Turiff Properties put the building back on the market.
The former care home was reportedly closed by former owner Four Seasons Health Care in 2015 due to financial issues, however the facility was also subject to a damning report from the Care Inspectorate which was attributed to issues retaining staff and is further believed to have contributed to the facility's closure.
At the time of the closure it was reportedly home to around 30 residents, but had capacity for more than 50, who were all rehomed with many being forced to move away from Turriff.
The vacant property has continued to be a talking point in the town after it was left susceptible to vandalism and the grounds became overgrown and unsightly.
In addition to the obvious visual neglect neighbours also reported that the area grew in popularity as a place where people would congregate, especially the town's young people, causing additional noise and other disturbances to the once quiet residential area.
Turriff And District Community Council led the initial fight to have the grounds maintained while the property remained vacant, however even after identifying responsibility to maintain the grounds only minimal work has been carried out and continues to be an eyesore for neighbouring residents.
After years of becoming increasingly derelict the enthusiasm of Turriff residents' for the building to be put back into use was evident with a number of keen responses suggesting a variety of ideas on how the building could be used, including being reopened as a care facility.
While the building has been back on the market seemingly fraudulent advertisements have appeared online offering up rooms to rent as temporary accommodation in a 'newly renovated' building, however the building remains untouched.
