Calls to scrap the redevelopment of Thistle Grove

Calls were made last week to scrap a long-awaited redevelopment of a rundown travellers' site in Dumfries and Galloway and find an alternative site instead.

- MARC MCLEAN

Ongoing situation Councillor Andy Ferguson at Thistle Grove site

Thistle Grove at Collin was set to be completely rebuilt at its current location to upgrade living conditions and meet Scottish Government requirements at a cost of nearly £14 million.

Temporary accommodation was also going to need to be found for the residents living on the site for potentially two years while the construction works were carried out.

However, council housing chiefs recently recommended that these plans be put on hold due to high level decant costs and “continued uncertainty and risks” around the condition of the Thistle Grove site.

But Abbey Councillor Ian Blake claimed that stronger action should be taken - by ditching development plans at Thistle Grove altogether.