A disability charity has been approached to occupy an at-risk heritage visitor centre in the Mearns.
Mill of Benholm, near Johnshaven, is a restored and fully working water-powered meal mill.
Concerns regarding health and safety saw it closed by Aberdeenshire Council last April.
Both the chairman and secretary of the trust’s board later resigned.
Cornerstone, which provides care and support services to people with support needs and disabilities, has expressed an interest in occupying the property after an approach by the council.
However, the charity has made it clear it they would not be prepared to take on the potential financial burden of maintaining the listed building.
Director of business development Keith Taylor said: “We said in principle we are happy to look at this and we have made a proposal to Aberdeenshire Council which states our concerns because it’s a listed building.
“Our proposal made it clear that we cannot take on the financial risk associated with the management of listed buildings.
“We are expecting to hear back about it later this month.”
Following a meeting at Johnshaven Village Hall last month, residents expressed their desire to form a new group to take forward community involvement at the mill.
The cafe, mill grounds and community garden are all aspects that would be considered appropriate for local input.
Mr Taylor said if the proposal is accepted then he envisaged it being a Cornerstone-operated site.
However, he said the organisation would welcome the support of a local community of volunteers.
The charity would probably move in next year.
“If we were to be able to do something with the building then it would be very important to work with local community groups,” Mr Taylor said.
“We would certainly find ways to involve them in our plans.”
Mearns councillor George Carr and Ian Hunter, a former chairman of the Mill of Benholm Trust, have both agreed to offer their assistance to any new management group that emerges.
Mr Carr said: “It is in all our interests to get Benholm Mill back up and running as quickly as possible.
“The Kincardine and Mearns area committee has approved the use of £10,000 to assist any new project to get going.”