LDN Architects and David Narro Associates have been drafted in to facilitate the deconstruction and reconstruction of the crumbling property to reinstate a corner retail outlet along with a residential development of modern flats in the upper floors and at the rear along North Street.

Poundland secured the Victorian building last year, the first property it has owned during its 30 years of trading.

Ben Wall, Poundland’s head of portfolio management, said: “We’re delighted to have worked closely with Moray Council, firstly to acquire the freehold of our store in Elgin and now to get to today’s planning submission. 

“It’s a major milestone in our efforts to address the structural issues in such an important building to the town and also provide homes that support central Elgin as a place to live, as well as shop and work.”

The building was shored up by a web of scaffolding and screened off with shuttering in May 2018. Water ingress through the roof over many years had significantly weakened the structure, leading to fears that parts of the building might collapse.

The proposed refurbishment will involve the demolition of key sections of the sandstone structure before it is rebuilt, with the upper floors brought back into use as four flats.

A second phase will create an extension to the rear with 17 flats and two additional commercial units facing onto North Street.

Due to the importance of the building and the wider public interest, the proposals will be put before members of Moray Council’s planning and infrastructure services committee for decision.

Council leader, Cllr Graham Leadbitter, welcomed the plans.

“It is good to see progress on this iconic building, and the positive engagement from the business to get to this point,” he said.

“The council’s officials will set out the timescale to get this application before the council’s planning and regulatory services committee so that it may be decided upon as part of the formal process.”