Redevelopment of Elgin High Street
Get in touch
Summary
Regenerating a town centre by bringing properties back into use
Robertson sourced funding to redevelop six C-Listed properties in Elgin, bringing vacant buildings back into use and giving the town centre a lift.
The cottages are a key part of Elgin's identity, enjoying C-listed status because of their heritage and appearance.
Funding to transform a historic High Street
To complete the work, Robertson Regeneration secured Scottish Government Town Centre Empty Homes Funding, a grant of £120k, a loan of £100k. In addition, the Moray Council Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) provided a grant of £69k. The CARS grant included funding to repaint the Victoria Bar which is owned by Robertson Property, but let to a third party.
Gaining planning approval for listed buildings
Robertson worked with Moray Council Planning Department to create a redevelopment scheme that would create inviting places for people to live while still retaining the original character of these listed buildings. The work focused on details such as appropriate paint colours for the front doors.
The collaboration between the Council, developer and project architects Wittets continued throughout the process to ensure that the planning application and listed building consent for the works progressed smoothly.
Bringing properties up to the Repairing Standard
Robertson Northern carried out the refurbishment work, to bring the properties up to the Repairing Standard – the level of repair a house must achieve to be used as privately rented accommodation.
I am delighted to see these historic dwellings brought back to life and to serve the purpose for which they were originally intended. They represent an excellent example of town centre regeneration and will help to repopulate that part of the town.
Refurbishment included:
- stripping and replacing plasterboard;
- installing insulation and secondary glazing in two properties;
- original windows could be retained and repaired in four properties;
- fitting new kitchens and shower rooms;
- creating bedrooms in the loft space at two properties;
- redecoration;
- replacement of part of the roof;
- tanking of external rear walls;
- and a new surface water drain at the rear.
CARS funding covered:
- external repair to stonework;
- roof repair and replacement;
- replacing the cast iron guttering;
- and repainting.
Much needed housing for local families
Bringing these properties back up to a habitable standard helps families find a new home. After standing vacant for ten years, all six properties were let within six weeks of completion. The project was shortlisted under the Place Category for The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2017.
