Councillors have approved plans to demolish a former care home in Elgin to make way for housing.

Bishopmill House has been empty since the late 1990s, and only used since then for emergency accommodation during local flooding events.

The premises is dated, deemed to be in a poor condition and unsuitable for refurbishment due to the high cost involved. Other commercial uses have been investigated by Moray Council but all have been unviable.

The council’s estates manager, Stuart Beveridge, told councillors that the demolished building will be re-cycled as crushed masonry and used for up-filling on council-owned land at Moycroft and Chanonry industrial estates.

“This will save the council £22,000 in material costs compared to using new up-fill from a quarry, as well as over £11,000 in landfill costs,” he said.

Demolition of the property is estimated to cost £130,000, but this will be recouped by the sale of the site for housing development.

@TheMorayCouncil