Owners urged to save crumbling mansion

TWO Arbroath councillors have issued a plea to the owners of a decaying mansion in the town to “get round the table” and save the grade A-listed Elms “before it’s too late”.

Councillors David Fairweather and Derek Wann spoke out after hearing from the building’s owners that proposals to bring it back into use had apparently fallen through.

The property, in Cairnie Road, has been on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk register for almost 20 years.

The former hotel and children’s home has been stripped of internal features and continues to deteriorate.

Mr Fairweather said: “When I last raised this issue in 2016, I was contacted by someone purporting to be the owner of the Elms. I was told in no uncertain terms that proposals were being brought forward that would utilise all aspects of the building.”

Mr Wann added: “Although it initially appeared that things were finally heading in the right direction, it seems that we are back to square one.

“Meanwhile, the condition of this building, now just a shadow of its former magnificent self, continues to deteriorate year after year.”

Mr Fairweather said: “Councillor Wann and I are appealing to the owners of the Elms to contact us or the council and bring forward their proposals.

“We will do everything possible to assist in securing the future of the Elms.”