THE derelict plot of land where the home of Inverclyde murder victim Margaret Fleming once stood has dramatically dropped in price after its owners were unable to sell it.
Margaret was kept prisoner at Seacroft in Inverkip by her carers Edward Cairney and Avril Jones before being killed and her body dumped at an unknown location.
The bungalow, where police believe she may have died, was bulldozed in 2021 after it bought up by millionaire developers from England.
However, the overgrown site, which has planning permission for two luxury properties, has been lying empty for the last four years.
Now, almost £20,000 has been slashed off a previous asking price of £350,000 in a renewed bid to find a buyer for the land.
A spokeswoman said: "Following a recent price adjustment to £332,500, interest has been strong, and we anticipate a high level of engagement from buyers looking to capitalise on this ready-to-build opportunity.
"Given the renewed planning approval and the increasing demand for premium homes in this area, we expect a successful sale in the near future."
Coventry haulage firm Slam Transport bought the site for £120,000 in 2017 and was given the go-ahead to build several luxury homes in January 2000.
At the time they said the new homes would help remove the stigma attached to the land because of its association with the Fleming murder case.
However, since the demolition, no construction work has taken place despite planning permission being in place.
Last year the owners abandoned plans to build on the land and the plot went on the market for offers over £350,000 in July.
The plot – which is protected by an eight-foot high security fence – has become an eyesore in recent years overgrown with weeds and long grass.
Despite searches of Seacroft and its surrounding land, Margaret's remains have never been found.
It is thought that her body may have been dumped at sea.
She was left in the couple's care as a 19-year-old after her dad Derek – a friend of the pair – died in 1995. Margaret had learning difficulties and had not been seen for 20 years.
Her disappearance only came to light when she was due to reapply for disability benefits and officials could not contact her.
It then emerged no one from social services had been in contact with Margaret for at least 17 years.
At Cairney and Jones' trial, it was revealed that Jones had fraudulently claimed £182,000 in benefits after pretending for nearly two decades that she was alive.
Cairney died in hospital in October 2023 while Jones remains in prison.
