MORAY COUNCILLORS HAVE agreed to provide a loan to a common good fund to ensure that work on restoring a major landmark can go ahead.

Plans have been laid to restore the fountain on Elgin’s Plainstones – however, additional funding was required if the project was to go ahead.

Now members of the policy and resources committee have agreed to provide the required funding, £18,000, in the form of a loan.

The decision came after councillors heard that a preliminary offer of £27,000 towards the restoration costs has already been made by the Elgin Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). The council’s loan of £18,000, along with some funding from monies currently held in the Common Good Fund, will provide the balance.

The move was supported by all Elgin members on the Council, while the chair of the committee, Councillor George Alexander, said that the B-listed fountain, built in 1844, was an important landmark so should be restored.

He said: “The fountain on the Plainstones has stood for almost 200 years and is a significant part of Elgin High Street’s history. This investment will ensure it’s standing for many more years to come and will continue to be an attraction to visitors.”