9 June 2026
Partnership-led South Street project in Elgin takes major step forward
Full construction has now begun on the South Street regeneration project following completion of preparatory works, marking a significant milestone in one of Elgin’s most important town-centre regeneration projects.
This major milestone follows significant enabling works including demolition and archaeological surveys that took place over 2025.
An innovative partnership between Moray Council, UHI Moray, Cairn Housing Association and developer Robertson Property Ltd; the project is a cornerstone initiative within the wider Elgin City Centre Masterplan.
The development includes the Moray Growth Deal’s Business Enterprise Hub, with £750,000 of UK Government funding contributed by Pride in Place (Elgin Neighbourhood Board); 38 affordable one and two-bedroom flats as part of the Housing Mix Delivery; opportunities for three small retail/commercial units, high quality public realm, and a reinstated pedestrian link between South Street and High Street via Newmarket Close to align with other Levelling Up Fund projects.
Both the Housing Mix Delivery and Business Enterprise Hub contained within the development are major strategic elements of the £100m Moray Growth Deal funded by Scottish Government. The project has also received £5.06m from the UK Government as part of the wider £18.3m Levelling Up Fund for the Elgin City Centre Masterplan, and £3.9 million of Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply funding (AHSP) for the affordable housing units.
As part of the South Street regeneration project, collaborative partnerships have been established to support the delivery, ownership and long-term management of the development.
Moray Council, UHI Moray and Cairn Housing Association will each take responsibility for owning and managing different elements, with Moray Council overseeing the public realm, UHI Moray the Business Enterprise Hub, and Cairn Housing Association the housing as the Registered Social Landlord.
Robertson Construction Northern commenced construction this week which will include closed panel timber frames with windows pre-fitted, manufactured off-site at Robertson Timber Engineering in Elgin.
Once complete, South Street will strengthen the centre of Elgin and help create a more active, welcoming and better-connected environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
Councillor Marc Macrae, Moray Council Lead for Levelling Up Fund and Moray Growth Deal, said: “To see tangible progress on South Street is a significant milestone, not only for this project, but the wider regeneration works in Moray. This is a culmination of the hard work of all our team and partners involved, to which I congratulate you. I look forward to seeing construction progress through 2026/2027 as we continue to improve our public offering.”
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “South Street reflects a strong partnership between the public and private sectors, working together to unlock a complex site and deliver meaningful regeneration. It demonstrates how aligned partners can move projects forward and create lasting value for the local area.”
Audrey Simpson, CEO, Cairn (RSL), commented: “We’re proud to be part of this important regeneration project for Elgin, which will deliver much-needed affordable homes in the heart of the town centre. Partnership working has been key to bringing the project to this stage, and we look forward to seeing the development progress and the positive impact it will have for the local community in the years ahead.”
David Patterson, Principal and Chief executive, UHI Moray, said: “The Business Enterprise Hub will provide flexible spaces for small, existing and new, businesses to innovate and upskill. The location of the hub in the town centre and its proximity to our main UHI Moray campus means we are well positioned to make engagement as accessible as possible and provide the invaluable support required to build a thriving business community.”
Jenny Urquhart, Chair of the Elgin Neighbourhood Board also commented: “The Elgin Neighbourhood Board exists to set clear local priorities for Elgin based on community feedback and turn local ambitions into practical action, so we are delighted to have provided additional funding to support the new UHI Moray Business Enterprise Hub on South Street.”
