Gatehouse will have to wait a bit longer for more social housing to address the critical shortage of homes for rent, it has emerged.
It had been hoped that the Catholic Church would strike a deal with Loreburn for the former Church of the Resurrection and associated land at Riverbank.
The housing agency had provisional plans to demolish the 50-year-old chapel and build around 12 homes for rent on the site.
But protracted negotiations had yet to conclude when the property was sold to private developers, Gatehouse Community Council members heard.
Local councillor Dougie Campbell told the meeting: “I was really disappointed that the Riverbank was turned down but that’s in the gift of the church.
“Loreburn looked at 12 units in the Riverbank area which really would have been a game changer for Gatehouse.
“It would have made the town a more sustainable community, supported the school and the local economy and so on.
“The offer that Loreburn made was to acquire the Riverbank site subject to planning permission in principle.
“That was a stumbling block for the church because they were wanting the site sold and concluded the bid.
“But the reality is that when a developer is seeking to draw down funding they have to acquire the site first or have planning permission in principle in order to actually secure that funding.
“It’s very frustrating because for Loreburn it has been an ongoing process over a couple of years.
“It’s really disappointing but we are where we are.”
Mr Campbell told members his understanding was that Loreburn were still keen to build homes for rent in the town.
“There are a lot of people who can sit on waiting lists for an awful long time and any affordable housing would be welcome.”
