An Angus woman facing eviction from her house of more than a decade says she fears being made homeless.
Elaine Harvey has been given until August 30 to leave Birch Cottage in Brigton of Ruthven, between Alyth and Kirriemuir.
It comes as the landowner, Morris Leslie Property Ltd, plans to build holiday lodges on the surrounding land.
Proposals to build 41 static homes on the site were voted through by Angus Council in December 2020.
‘I need the space – there’s nothing to rent’
Elaine says she has been unable to find somewhere big enough to accommodate her – and is now threatening to stay put until she is forced out of the property.
While Morris Leslie is within its rights to evict her, Elaine says she was left “shocked” after a phone call in May telling her she has to leave.
She said: “I’ve been looking around and there’s absolutely nothing to rent.
“The prices of rental properties have rocketed, with the cheapest one being around £800 a month, which I cannot afford.
“I need the space for my plants and my dogs.
“I’m going through a really bad time because I have no idea where I’m going to go.”
One of Elaine’s greatest fears is what will happen to the garden she has created at the house.
She said: “I’ve created a beautiful wildlife garden that’s taken years to do and the plants can’t be moved during the summer months.
“You must wait until they are in their dormant months, from late autumn up until February, to move them.
“I caught (company owner) Morris Leslie walking past so wanted him to look at the garden so he can see the work I’ve put in over the years.
“I asked if he thought I was a good tenant and he said I was but they just wanted the house.”
A spokesperson for Morris Leslie told The Courier: “We already have five cottages and have received planning consent for a further 41 holiday lodges, in which we’re investing £7 million.
Tenant given more time to relocate
“Nineteen of the lodges are already installed and the area is now running as a fully operating holiday site.
“Unfortunately, we needed one of the properties for our own use and this happens to be Mrs Harvey’s property.
“Recognising how long Mrs Harvey has been a tenant with us, we offered 50% more time to relocate than we legally had to do.
“We are prepared to work with her but she has closed the door on us.
“Alternative accommodation was offered but she declined as it wasn’t to her needs.”
The firm also insists it is not going to “bring a bulldozer” into the garden.
Elaine says she has been given advice by a charity to stay put if she has nowhere else to go, forcing the firm to go through a legal process to complete the eviction.
If she doesn’t move out then there’s a lengthy statutory process that we will have to go through.”
Morris Leslie
She added: “If that happens, I can appeal and even if that is unsuccessful, I have a month to move out.”
The Morris Leslie spokesperson added: “She has been sent the notice, if she doesn’t move out then there’s a lengthy statutory process that we will have to go through.”
Morris Leslie was granted permission in principle on Wednesday for a separate £33.8m leisure development at West Kinfauns, near Perth.
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