Sale of Angus ‘Steptoe house’ welcomed as ‘momentous’ day

The sale of an Angus house that was the subject of years of enforcement action has been welcomed as a “momentous” day.

The home at Broomwell Gardens in Monikie was sold for an undisclosed sum by Future Property Auctions in Edinburgh, on September 18.

Angus Council’s development standards committee has followed the infamous property’s descent into ruin since 2005.

At its latest meeting, Councillor Bill Bowles hailed the sale as “momentous”, but the council will keep an eye on the property for some time.

An officer told the committee: “I’m pleased after six or seven years to report some good news on this.

“At the first opportunity we have, we’ll be looking to contact the purchasers and ask what their intentions are.”

Committee convener Rob Murray said the property will remain on the agenda until this time.

The property was the home of Alexander and Moira Ewart, who in 2005 each received 18-month jail sentences after being convicted of a fraud involving £50,000 from the estate of an elderly relative.

More than 20 skiploads of material were cleared from the garden in 2007 after it was described as looking like a scene from Steptoe and Son by one councillor.