Revamp proposed for empty Elgin cottages
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Four empty cottages in Elgin may get a new lease of life.
Two properties at the bottom of Ladyhill – plus another couple on Victoria Road – could get a major revamp if proposals get the go-ahead at a Moray Council meeting next week.
The Ladyhill cottages were gifted to the former City and Royal Burgh of Elgin by Sir Archibald Williamson in 1921.
They were to be held in trust for the benefit of "suitable persons" who, in return for a nominal rent, would maintain the gardens.
However they have been empty for about 20 years.
Meanwhile the Victoria Road cottages were built in the late 1800s to mark the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria.
However they were later abandoned after being repeatedly hit by flooding.
Under the terms of their trust deed they should be used as dwelling places for "poor people of respectable character".
Moray Council has sought specialist legal advice on what it can and cannot do within the terms of the deeds.
Councillors will now be asked on Tuesday for permission to take £271,000 from the housing revenue budget so all four category C-listed properties can be upgraded and rented out.
In his report to the meeting, Andrew Gray, the council's asset manager coordinator said: "Although the trustees are not permitted to sell or change the use of the cottages, the advice received is that the trustees do have the power to let out the properties on such terms as they see fit, including charging a rent, without the need to amend the deed of gift."
A £64,000 grant from the Town Centre Capital Fund was secured to improve Sulva Cottage at Ladyhill.
But when construction started earlier this year further problems emerged taking costs to £90,000 – £26,000 over the available budget.
A similar amount will be needed to upgrade Messines Cottage next door.
It is expected to cost £155,000 to bring the two end-terraced on Victoria Road up to standard.
