Elgin's Grant Lodge repairs agreed
GRANT Lodge in Elgin will undergo up to £25,000 of essential maintenance works, after councillors approved the spend this morning.
A report to Moray Council’s Policy & Resources committee noted that the dilapidated B-listed building is in urgent need of repair, or could suffer a “catastrophic failure in structural elements”.
A build- up of roof vegetation, leaking gutters and blocked downpipes has led to an outbreak of dry rot, which is affecting the structure of the building.
A recent specialist report stated : ‘as a result of the dry rot the floor boards in the upper hall are extremely dangerous and should not be walked on under any circumstances’, with other areas of the building identified as being ‘extremely unsafe’.
Chair of the committee and Leader of Moray Council, Councillor George Alexander, said avoiding further deterioration of the building fabric was key to safeguarding the future of the iconic lodge, which was gifted to the then Town Council in the early 20th century.
“As custodians of Grant Lodge, we have an important role to play in maintaining it, with hopes that it can be brought back into use in the not-too-distant future. Carrying out these vital and urgent repairs will mean the immediate threat to its future is spared.”
Work is expected to start shortly.
Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.
Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.