North Ayrshire Council have taken Moorburn House off the property market after the prospective housing developer withdrew from the sale.

However, council staff from Moorburn will be transferring to the neighbouring Brooskby health and NAC development in the new year.

In a statement issued by NAC, a spokesman said: 'The Council has decided not to re-negotiate or to remarket Moorburn because of the current economic climate. Operational staff will move from Moorburn to Brooksby as planned early in 2009. On an interim basis and because of delays in developing the Stevenson Institute, appropriate parts of Moorburn house will be available for community use.' The Council Executive agreed to the sale of Moorburn house on 29 July, following an agreement to share facilities at Brooksby and the relocation of current users to other facilities.

NAC state that they have already approved a capital programme to provide a new community centre in Largs, and negotiations on a possible site are in hand. However, this development is at an early stage, they say, and will take time to fully develop and deliver.

Carol Kirk, Corporate Director of Educational Services, said: 'The Council has received advice not to renegotiate or remarket Moorburn House due to the current market situation. Against this background, there is some concern about Moorburn House being left unoccupied.

'It is proposed that Moorburn House be transferred to Educational Services and made available for community use. Access to the facilities would be managed in accordance with the current letting scheme and charges as approved by the council.

'This would be on an interim basis until either the market improves or a new community centre is built in the Largs area to allow Moorburn House to be remarketed.' Marriages may also be set to continue at Moorburn for the foreseeable future as discussions take place with the legal arm of the council in connection with these facilities.