A fresh call has been made for action to address derelict sites in the region like the former Interfloor factory near Dumfries.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth wants to see a national response to addressing eyesores which blight many communities across the region.
One of the biggest is the former Arrol Johnston factory in Heathhall which has been plagued by vandalism and fires.
Mr Smyth spoke on the subject in parliament after Holyrood’s economy and fair work committee completed its inquiry into town centres.
He said: “The challenge of vacant and derelict buildings and land was a common thread that ran throughout the evidence that we heard from across the country.
“That reflects the fact the problem is increasing: it is not simply a historical legacy of our declining industrial base; there has also been a more recent decline in our town centres.
“The scale of the challenge involved with such sites means that we need a strategic national approach, with government intervention through agencies such as Scottish Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise to invest in clearing sites to make them suitable for future use.
“On occasion, that occurs at a local level. The council took action by buying the George Hotel, but the cost of buying that modest building and turning it into something suitable is enormous, never mind what the cost would be for a site that is the size of the former Interfloor factory in Dumfries.
“Councils need support to ensure that they can actually invest in projects. Where the project involves a site on the scale of that factory, however, I think that we need major government intervention to clear such sites and make them fit for
purpose.”
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson criticised the local authority for their part in the issue.
He said: “There is nothing more depressing than walking or driving past empty properties that in many towns and communities have simply been left neglected and allowed to crumble away over months and years.
“Although the new strategy is not exactly ground-breaking in any shape or form, it cannot be faulted – provided the local authority acts more quickly and responds with renewed energy and urgency, rather than sitting back and allowing buildings to fall into
disrepair.
