Peeblesshire News | News | Glenormiston home fury

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 29th September, 2006 10:30

Glenormiston home fury

By David Knox

WORRIED tenants on Glenormiston Estate, near Innerleithen, have vowed to barricade themselves into their under-threat homes.

A property syndicate is currently in the process of buying the historic 767-acre estate.

Gelnormiston Estate Ltd, fronted by local businessman Murray Warner, has already submitted two planning applications to create and build 14 new houses.

And, according to tenants, have also declared their intentions to sell the estate’s rented properties.

Other local businessmen, including builder Stanley Brash, are believed to be backers in the takeover.

Paul and Marion Macnaughton have leased Glenormiston Lodge for exactly 20 years this month.

And they are not even the longest serving tenants on the estate.

But they fear they could be left homeless within 40 days of the developers taking over on December 1.

Paul told the Peeblesshire News: “Centuries ago we had the Highland clearances, today these people are attempting to have the lowland clearances. We won’t just sit back and let this happen.

“It may sound a bit dramatic but if it came to the terrible day where we had to, we would barricade ourselves in. We will fight these people all the way – this has been our home for 20 years and we love living here.”

Tenants only received official word about the imminent £3 million sale at the weekend, although three prospective buyers for individual properties have been turning up at one of the leased cottages over the past fortnight asking to view.

Marion said: “I called Mr Warner myself when we first heard through the grapevine he was involved in buying the estate, and he told me that I would be entitled to 40-days notice.

“It seems that they want to sell all of the leased properties as quickly as possible, and build as many houses as they can as well. They are about to destroy a historic working estate in the name of greed.”

It’s not only the tenants who fear for the future of Glenormiston.

Homeowners on the estate have also reacted angrily.

Jacqui Rorie stays in the tranquil Velvethall Cottages. But if the developers get their way, her garden will be swallowed up by one of six new houses they plan to build. She told us: “This isn’t about who owns their house and who rents it, we are very much a community at Glenormiston.

“You have to question the urgency with the way they are working. I don’t like what is going on.

“I am angry that they want to build houses where I live, but I am also angry at the way they are already treating my neighbours. We are all in this together, and we will all fight this together.”

And her neighbour Jo Allen said: “We fear these plans for 14 houses will just be the start – we have to fight this now.

“Mr Warner has attempted to portray himself as a new caring owner – this isn’t the way a caring owner behaves.”

Murray Warner did not return our calls.

The two planning applications for Glenormiston Estate will be discussed at Monday’s Innerleithen Community Council.

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