By Charlene Kelly

DEVASTATED Coaltown of Wemyss tenants trying to come to terms with the revelation that their homes have been put on the market have been dealt a second blow, after acquiring proof that the properties are being advertised as a potential holiday village investment opportunity.

Despite both landlord William Wemyss and Edinburgh estate agent Savills denying that the 49 homes in Main Street, Plantation Row, Coronation Row, South Row and Memorial Square were being marketed in a glossy brochure as such, The Courier was yesterday handed evidence to the contrary.

A copy of the brochure in question was dropped through the letterbox of tenant Margaret Walker by an anonymous caller.

Margaret, who has lived in Memorial Square for the past 11 years said, “The brochure clearly states that the 49 houses have the potential to be leased as short- term holiday lets in five lots.

“Mr Wemyss has written to us to deny this, but it’s all there in black and white and I intend to photocopy it and drop it through the boxes of all the other tenants.

“I can speak on behalf of everyone affected when I say we are all devastated and very upset at having been left in the dark over these plans from the very beginning and being told untruths by our landlord.

“The way the whole affair has been conducted has been very dishonest and backhanded and it is affecting my health and taking over my life. I can’t sleep at night and have lost weight from worrying about whether I might lose the home that I love so much.

“I have spent a lot of money on my house and garden over the years, as have many other tenants, but, despite that, we have been told we will get no discount if we wish to buy our homes— and with prices estimated at over £120,000, not many tenants can afford to do that.

“The village is a peaceful, friendly place with a wonderful community spirit and I like living here. I have family who live nearby, as do many other people, and do not wish to move. Not only that but there is nowhere to move to.

Many of the affected tenants are elderly—one woman is 97— and some are also ill or disabled.

“There are not many other properties in the village suitable for them to move to.

“The bottom line is that if Wemyss Properties take our homes from us they will be dividing a community,” she said.

“In the 49 houses affected there are approximately 150 people, 11 of which are children so it will have a knock on effect with the local primary school too.”

The Savills brochure adds that the present rental income from the 49 properties is around £200,000.

A spokesman for Savills said, “The properties are being advertised as a residential investment with the potential for short-term holiday lets, but it would be sensationalist to claim they are being advertised as purely a holiday village investment opportunity.

“Mr Wemyss is keen to hand the properties over to someone who will keep the tenants on.”

Talks are ongoing between Mr Wemyss and not-for-profit company the Kingdom Housing Association, which has expressed a strong interest in taking ownership of the properties, and Mr Wemyss has promised tenants they will be given top priority over other interested buyers.

Mrs Walker urged Mr Wemyss to go along to a public meeting which has been arranged to take place at the Coaltown of Wemyss Village Institute at 5.30pm on Monday.

“He has said he will not be attending but we have a lot of unanswered questions and, as our landlord, he has a duty to be there.”

Mr Wemyss was unavailable for comment yesterday.