Mearns Court, Laurencekirk

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Mearns Court is located in the village of Laurencekirk. The scheme contains 18 Sheltered Housing flats split across 2 levels, and there are 24 linked cottages around the scheme (which are not being considered for closure).

Occupancy rates at the main block averaged 86.8% over 10 years, although this has varied over time. Recent vacancies have also proven difficult to let due to low demand.

The main block at Mearns Court has a negative Net Present Value of –£2.2 million, which is mainly driven by the cost of future investment required in the scheme. The challenge of letting properties here also results in a loss of income, but even at 100% occupancy the scheme would still require substantial subsidy from other housing tenants.

Laurencekirk has a local shop and post office, alongside other shops and services. It also offers GP and pharmacy services in the village. Public transport is available in the form of rail and bus services. The closest bus stop to the scheme is within walking distance, although the bus timetable could be a limiting factor for some tenants.

The main driver for considering the scheme for closure is the high cost of future investment required, which would have to be subsidised by other council tenants, although the challenge of letting properties here is also a factor.


Mearns Court is located in the village of Laurencekirk. The scheme contains 18 Sheltered Housing flats split across 2 levels, and there are 24 linked cottages around the scheme (which are not being considered for closure).

Occupancy rates at the main block averaged 86.8% over 10 years, although this has varied over time. Recent vacancies have also proven difficult to let due to low demand.

The main block at Mearns Court has a negative Net Present Value of –£2.2 million, which is mainly driven by the cost of future investment required in the scheme. The challenge of letting properties here also results in a loss of income, but even at 100% occupancy the scheme would still require substantial subsidy from other housing tenants.

Laurencekirk has a local shop and post office, alongside other shops and services. It also offers GP and pharmacy services in the village. Public transport is available in the form of rail and bus services. The closest bus stop to the scheme is within walking distance, although the bus timetable could be a limiting factor for some tenants.

The main driver for considering the scheme for closure is the high cost of future investment required, which would have to be subsidised by other council tenants, although the challenge of letting properties here is also a factor.


Questions

Question 1 - Will the cottages be affected? 

Answer: No they won't, for those tenants who reside in cottages they can remain in them, but the access to the scheme will stop once it is closed e.g. laundry and communal lounge for social activities. We will discuss with each tenant in cottages to consider what alternatives there are for access to laundry or social activities.

Question 2 - We have a lot of support from the local community in Laurencekirk and there are regular social activities in the scheme, in addition to tenants used the communal lounge to meet each other socially to watch tv, do a jigsaw etc. How do you consider this social meeting space can be replaced if the scheme closes? it will be difficult for the remaining cottages to meet socially without the scheme.

Answer 2: there are other meeting places in Laurencekirk and it is a well connected location, we will have discussions with tenants to look at alternatives to meet socially as a group, with the aim to reduce social isolation. At the same time we acknowledge the social activities in Laurencekirk scheme are a strength of that scheme and will be noted in the impact assessment.

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  • Share Where will the existing tenants go? on Facebook Share Where will the existing tenants go? on Twitter Share Where will the existing tenants go? on Linkedin Email Where will the existing tenants go? link

    Where will the existing tenants go?

    Penni Currie asked 4 days ago

    We have committed to a person-centred approach to finding alternative accommodation for anyone affected by the closure of a Sheltered Housing scheme. This means that if the closure of a scheme is agreed, any relocation will depend on the individual needs and preferences of each tenant. Options could include rehousing in another Aberdeenshire Council Sheltered Housing property, we have several Sheltered Housing cottages in Laurencekirk or another Sheltered Housing scheme in other locations, or another council property (with suitable adaptations where needed). We would also help to facilitate an application to another social landlord (such as a Housing Association) or a move to the private sector if that is the tenant’s preference. This will include working with tenants and their families to identify available locations that will best meet their current and future needs.
    Normal letting rules will not apply to any offers we make to affected tenants, so tenants will be given time to consider any offer and able to refuse an offer that they do not feel is right for them. We acknowledge process will take several months maybe longer to get the right accommodation for everyone.

Page last updated: 05 May 2025, 05:49 PM