West Lothian Council will get an unlikely windfall from the sale of four cottages 36 miles away from Livingston – in the Borders.
The council’s Executive heard that the four cottages need refurbishment, with only two likely to go to market with a price tag of more than £100,000.
West Lothian’s likely eventual share from the sale of the cottages, at Stow near Galashiels, could be around that figure.
The cottages are in legacy ownership shared between West Lothian, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian councils.
A report to the Council’s Executive said: ”By collaborative review, the owning councils sought proposals for longer term prospects as the last remaining residential tenant was due to vacate in July 2025 allowing vacant possession across all four properties.
“As part of this review, the longer-term proposals comprised, refurbishment, redevelopment and potential disposal.
“Whilst the day-to-day management of the asset is currently undertaken by The City of Edinburgh Council on behalf of all four parties, health and safety management and statutory maintenance and repairing requirements have become more financially onerous highlighting a need for action.
“The City of Edinburgh Council has been absorbing these over the years on the proviso that they will recoup those justifiable costs from the co-owing councils.”
An initial condition survey was completed for No.1 Cortleferry. It was noted that the cost to bring property to a lettable standard would be fairly estimated at £137,800 with West Lothian Council’s equitable share being approximately £34,450.
The report added: “The councils therefore have jointly proposed to market the properties for disposal. In preparation of this process, the properties have been independently valued by Anderson Strathern who are also instructed to market the properties with vacant possession on the basis of the values stated as follows;
- 1 Cortleferry – Offers Over £95,000
- 2 Cortleferry – Offers Over £125,000
- 3 Cortleferry – Offers Over £85,000
- 4 Cortleferry – Offers Over £105,000.
“Three of the four properties are currently under offer but no offer has yet been received in respect of 2 Cortleferry.
“A consensus between all four councils for the sale price of each property at a level that satisfies best value is required. The costs relating to marketing, legal fees and repairing costs to date will be subtracted from the capital receipts of each on an equitable basis.”
The sale of the properties will contribute towards the council’s revenue budget targets for the commercial property portfolio.
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
