£700k to fix historic mansion
Company’s flats plan will transform house
A historic mansion house needs substantial investment to stop it crumbling.
Greenlaw House needs external and internal building works totalling more than £700,000.
Experts say stonework, roofing, plumbing and wiring is needed at the damp and rot-ridden 18thcentury home.
Owners want to fund upgrades by building eight flats in the grounds of the estate in Paisley.
They revealed the scale of the challenge in a report alongside blueprints filed with planners.
It stated:“A considerable amount of essential repairs and upgrade works are required for Greenlaw House to secure its future.
“These costs are beyond the resources of the owner.
“Cross-subsidy will be required in the form of some sort of development.
“It is proposed to develop a scheme of eight apartments for sale on two levels, either as a stand alone block, or as an extension to Greenlaw House, within the substantial rear garden area.”
Greenlaw House is a grand B- listed home in Mansionhouse Road in the east end of the town.
It has been hailed as important to the town’s heritage.
The building had been subdivided into bedsits and apartments, some of which lie vacant.
Experts say it is in need of substantial upgrade to safeguard its future.
Builders estimate almost £ 500,000 is required to carry out essential outside repairs.
Among the work needed is treatment for damp and rot, roofing, windows and stonework.
Internally, £ 215,000 more is needed for a further revamp, including plumbing, wi r i n g , kitchens, heating and insulation.
Designers say the block and 16 car spaces could be built “comfortably” in the 2,250sqm garden without “detrimentally affecting” the privacy of neighbours.
The report added: “The property has been subdivided in the past to create several residential apartments which are mostly rented out.
“Although in full occupation, the building is in need of considerable external and internal restoration and upgrade.
“Over the years, the owner has managed to maintain the building in a watertight condition and it retains many of its original features.
“However, the costs required to undertake these essential works and safeguard the building’s future are considerable and beyond the resources of the owner.
“It has been shown that the proposals are the minimum enabling development required to provide the necessary funds.”
A decision on the planning application is due in August.