Small plot with rich history to be sold

A SMALL piece of council-owned land with a surprisingly rich history — is now set to be sold off. The plot at Kirkgate, Dunscore, which extends to just 32 square metres, dates back to 1856 when it was home to the United Free Church School. Records show the school was merged with another in the village sometime between 1889 and 1899, after which the site went on to serve as the local police station before eventually becoming a cottage, writes Marc McLean. The land is currently owned by Dumfries and Galloway Council — but councillors are now being asked to declare it surplus to requirements at next Tuesday’s education committee meeting. The owner of the neighbouring property has already expressed an interest in purchasing the land, which forms part of their driveway. Should councillors agree to declare the plot surplus, it will pass to the council’s strategic asset board, which will determine whether it is surplus to the wider council’s requirements and can be disposed of. The council report notes that offloading the land would generate a capital receipt, while holding onto it would mean continuing to carry the running costs associated with the asset. Legal services are already supporting the process, and no legal complications have been identified.