Irvine Times | News | Could YOU Be Mystery Heir?

Monday, 12th May, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 7th May, 2008 12:00

Could YOU Be Mystery Heir?

By John-Martin Fulton

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THE MYSTERY heir to a piece of land could be entitled to a sum of council cash – if only they could find them.

Now council chiefs set to take the built up Kilwinning area cannot pay out for it because they can’t trace descendants of the owner who died in 1911.

Meanwhile, a council tenant whose house sits on the land has been unable to buy his home because the North Ayrshire authority do not technically own it.

The case began in the 1930s, when the old Burgh of Kilwinning demolished substandard buildings in Corsehill Row and built new homes, naming the street Parkhead Avenue.

But the former Burgh didn’t get the titles for the land that contains numbers 22-44 and a recent council search for the heirs has left them stumped.

Assistant chief executive Ian T Mackay said: “The council have undertaken extensive research but have been unsuccessful in tracing any descendants of the title holder.”

However, the missing heir could be inheriting more than a simple bundle of cash.

Ian T Mackay explained: “Anyone who subsequently comes forward and can establish their claim to the ground would be entitled to compensation provided they can prove their claim.”

“However, the council have a right to off-set the cost of construction and maintenance against any claim that may arise.”

“Thus the exact cost of acquiring title to the ground is not known at present.”

On Wednesday, council chiefs agreed on a compulsory purchase order for the 1844 square metres of land on the west side of Parkhead Avenue so that ownership of the land could be transferred to the authority.

The will go in front of Scottish government ministers and be advertised in the local press before owners and tenants are notified.

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