Housing plan for fire-ravaged Tain shell
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE fire-ravaged shell of an historic Tain house which has been plagued by anti-social behaviour may be brought back into use – after plans for new homes were lodged with Highland Council.
The Grove, off Lamington Street, has been derelict for years and was left as a shell four years ago when a blaze ripped through it.
But three new flats could be built within its walls and a further four semi-detached homes erected elsewhere in its grounds after a demolition order and house layout plans were lodged with the council.
A modern extension to The Grove’s main building would also be flattened and replaced with a home adjoining the flats.
Under the proposals, by applicant Alex Arthur, the four semi-detached homes would be built on the property’s border with Kirksheaf Road.
Those houses, which would be accessed via that street, would stand two-storeys high and boast three bedrooms, as well as attached garages.
A row of trees running along the site’s boundary with Kirksheaf Road would be felled to make way for the housing.
Access to the flats and adjoining home would be via the existing entry off Lamington Street.
In a supporting statement submitted alongside the application, the applicant’s agent said: "If re-occupied The Grove would greatly contribute towards making Cunarder Lane a safer pedestrian link than it appears to be at present. We believe the location for new development is suitable as it would restore and bring back into use a derelict, dangerous and prominent eyesore of a building, which has been the site of anti-social behaviour."
"The scale of the proposed dwellings are similar to those existing within this part of Tain.
"The proposed new buildings on site are influenced by the existing context.
"The house which is proposed to replace the derelict two-storey modern building has been designed to reflect the scale and forms of the existing house."
They added that the trees to be felled were being "strangled by ivy" claiming that "some have died and most are dying".
