Map for the future of Grant Lodge produced by working group

A short-life working group looking into possible future use of the historic Grant Lodge in Elgin’s Cooper Park have released details on their community consultation exercise.

The Grant Lodge Short Life Working Group undertook the consultation in an attempt to find a future use for the former library, which has fallen into disrepair since a fire in 2003.

Almost 200 questionnaires were returned to the group and around 40 community members accepted an opportunity to visit Grant Lodge, a Robert Adam designed building that was built in 1750 and gifted to the City of Elgin in 1903.

A spokeswoman for the group said: “The findings of the consultation, including comments and suggestions, were to be collated and used to build a range of packages which could provide sustainable options for the future use of Grant Lodge.

“These packages were to be publicised locally before a further consultation on a preferred package was then identified by the public.

“However, at the recent collation meeting, it became clear that a single package could be progressed incorporating the majority of suggestions from the consultation exercise.

“Therefore there will be no need for a second round consultation with the suggested future use of Grant Lodge.”

The list of suggested uses for the building are topped by it becoming an Arts Centre with music, cinema, theatre and studio accommodation. On the list are also a Restaurant, conference facility, wedding venue and heritage information centre.

The working group say that they are now focussing on the next steps required to bring about the vision created by the public consultation.

The spokeswoman added: “The group remains in close discussions with Historic Scotland, relevant Moray Council Officers and Community Planning Partners in moving the project forward.”

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