PLANS TO TURN a former surgery in Forres into flats have taken a major step forward this week with Moray Council inviting bids for demolition of the site.
The local authority purchased the former surgery buildings at Strathcona Road from NHS Grampian at the start of June with the help of funding from the Scottish Government.
Now their plans to create 12 one-bedroom flats on the site is moving forward as they adhere to a condition of the purchase that the existing building be demolished within nine months.
Welcoming the news that the council had put the contract for demolishing the 41-year-old building out to tender, local councillor George Alexander said it was good news for the town.
“I’m glad the contract is now up for tender and I look forward to it being awarded,” he said, adding: “The sooner they get on with it the better because this has been ongoing for a year.”
The development is the latest in Moray Council plans to construct 500 new homes over the next ten years, with the former health centre site becoming surplus to requirements after the creation of the new Forres Health Centre at a cost of £5.5million.
Built in 1974, the former health centre had been declared “unfit for purpose” in 2011 by the medical staff using the facility.
Firms interested in tendering for the demolition work have until July 31 to submit their bids to Moray Council.