If granted, an area of South Street will be transformed into residential homes, commercial units and a Business Enterprise Hub.

The development, part of the Elgin City Centre Masterplan, is being supported by the Moray Growth Deal. The regional deal is a long-term plan centred around specific projects designed to transform the economy, address concerns around encouraging young people to live and work in the area and gender inequality in employment.

The proposal includes several neglected properties on South Street and Elgin High Street, including two former toy shops and two derelict sites – formerly the Newmarket Bar and the Jailhouse Bar – repurposed to serve the needs and priorities of the local community.

Plans will see the addition of 38 affordable one and two-bedroom homes, split across three buildings which will surround a central courtyard, allowing connectivity across the site as well as an accessible space for community use.

Designed to promote inclusive economic development in Moray and beyond, the Business Enterprise Hub will support the growth of small and micro-businesses. It is to provide a vibrant, creative environment to inspire existing micro-businesses and SMEs, as well as supporting start-ups, university spin-outs and attracting new businesses and inward investors to the region.

The three-storey Hub will offer pre-incubation space for new and growing businesses with access to meeting rooms, studios, digital equipment and space for research and development, in addition to classroom space, focus rooms and staff facilities.

The vision for South Street was initially revealed in December last year and gathered local support following a public information day. Since then, the design has evolved with the formalisation of planning proposals.

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “Elgin has been selected to benefit from the Moray Growth Deal, presenting a prime opportunity for rejuvenation, community wealth building by promoting economic growth, inward investment, and stimulating cultural activity to revitalise our town centre. We are pleased to submit plans for the South Street regeneration project, that aligns with both the objectives outlined in the Elgin City Centre Masterplan and the broader plan of the Moray Growth Deal.

“Robertson has been a proud contributor to the built environment in Elgin since our founding in 1966. With this exciting project, we aim to help transform the town centre, working with local communities to enable place-based investment, and to enhance culture and wellbeing. Town centre living will increase vitality and viability, and will continue to support the local economy, whilst creating employment opportunities and repurposing an important part of the town and surrounding area.”