Road restriction notices have been posted as the demolition of an eyesore building on a Moray High Street is about to start in a few weeks time.
The 19th century former tobacconist and tackle shop in Elgin has laid empty for more than a decade and has been deteriorating ever since.
Plans were first lodged nearly three years ago to dismantle and rebuild the historic facade while knocking down the buildings behind to make way for a shop and 15 flats.
However, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) objected to these proposals and were backed by the Scottish Government so they were thrown out.
Developers Action Elgin returned last year with a demolition request which was approved by the Moray Council after HES dropped their objection, due to the building being downgraded from B to C-listed.
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It is understood that they will be constructing a shop and 15 one-bedroom flats at 184-188 High Street, aimed towards housing NHS staff, military personnel and other professions who need accommodation for short periods of time.
Now, notices have been published to notify locals about the “demolition of a dangerous building works” and a footpath closure outside 184-188 High Street for the next 14 weeks from Monday.
There will also be prohibition of waiting in the parking bays outside the building until Sunday 30 June as the essential work is taking place.
It is believed that a proper schedule of demolition work has not been set yet and is still a few weeks away from being decided.
Fresh attempts being made to bring eyesore building in Moray town centre back into use
Elgin City South councillor John Divers, who is also director of the town’s business improvement district, was pleased to see some progress finally being made to revamp that part of the high street.
He said: “The front of that building has been a total eyesore for years and I’m pleased to see it demolished and rebuilt into something positive.
“It is long, long overdue and I just wish a lot of the upper floors in a lot of the buildings on the high street were put back into use and get all the empty spaces back into properties but that will take a few years.”
