Fears for survival ofBraidwood House

There are growing fears amongst the people of Braidwood and Carluke that one of the area's most impressive landmarks, Braidwood House, is decaying while awaiting a £28m redevelopment.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2016, 11:38 BST
Updated 15th Apr 2016, 11:39 BST
Braidwood HouseBraidwood House
Braidwood House

After use as a school and home for the disabled, the building had a short but controversial role as base for the Airborne Initiave for troubed teenagers, the building has now lain empty for years.

Ascheme to turn it and the grounds into a huge retirement village having come to nothing in the three years since council planning permission was granted for it.

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A three years extension to the permission was recently granted but, speaking for a group of concerned villagers, long-time resident John Moffat said: “We are frightened that the grand old house won’t last another three years unless urgent works are undertaken. We can’t teel exactly what state he building is in but the grounds around it have been left to run into a jungle.”

Meanwhile, there was better news for a planned re-development of Birkwood Castle and its grounds on the fringes of Lesmahagow.

There were fears for the £50m scheme to transform the former hospital and grounds into a luxury hotel and housing development after part of the Victorian building collapsed last year but this week the owners have applied for council permission to carry out structural repairs.