Listed Montrose High Street building could be turned into five holiday lets

Ambitious proposals have come forward to turn a run-down listed building on Montrose High Street into five holiday lets.

Lyndale House at 56 High Street is a category C-listed property in the town’s conservation area. But the four-storey tenement dating from the mid-to-late 19th century has fallen into increasing disrepair. The building is accessed from a close off the north side of the High Street.

Applications for planning permission and listed building consent have now been lodged with Angus Council to rejuvenate the property as holiday accommodation.

Essex firm DDBG Properties Ltd is behind the proposal. The company’s planning statement to the council details the scale of the renovation task.

“The building is currently in a serious state of disrepair and is not capable of beneficial occupation in its present condition,” says the company.

“The principal defects include extensive water ingress through a failing roof; ceiling structures that are unsound and require renewal and window joinery in a poor condition.”

They say partially-completed works by the previous owner have exposed parts of the fabric. Those require completion to make the building wind and water-tight.

“The cumulative effect is a listed building that is deteriorating and at risk of further decline if left vacant and unrepaired.”

They hope to create five holiday apartments – three two-bedroom and two one-bedroom. Each would be self-contained with their own kitchen, living and bathroom space. Two of the apartments would have en suites.

“Where possible, we intend to retain all cornice detailing and original fireplaces, including the original staircase,” adds the applicant.

In total, the holiday lets could accommodate 16 guests.

The property can be accessed from both the High Street close and Basin View to the rear.

DDBG Properties say: “The building would remain in single ownership and would be operated as a single, cohesive, professionally managed visitor accommodation business.

“It would not be sold off, sub-let or operated as a series of independent, unconnected lettings.”

The state of the building means it is not currently occupied.

The applicants add: “The configuration of several short-term let units within one building has been considered carefully.

“The concern in such cases is that a building can shift from residential to visitor use in an uncontrolled, piecemeal way, eroding its residential character and increasing amenity impact.

“That concern does not arise here.”

“The material considerations – the repair and reuse of a listed building in disrepair, and the contribution to the regeneration of Montrose town centre – reinforce the case for approval,” they say.

Angus Council will decide the applications in due course.

This article appeared in the Courier on 13 July 2026