Council backs eviction villagers

Fife Council is backing 150 villagers who face eviction

Fife Council has backed 150 villagers who face eviction after a wealthy laird put their homes up for sale.

Landlord William Wemyss has written to 49 households, informing them their homes will soon be on the market.

The move has shattered the tiny Fife mining village of Coaltown of Wemyss and provoked claims of a "modern day Highland Clearance".

Many of the tenants earmarked for eviction are elderly pensioners, including one 97-year-old woman.

The idea of being evicted and becoming homeless is horrendous Bob Beck Resident

The Wemyss family owns 70 cottages in the village, 49 of which are being sold off, netting the family more than £6m.

Tenants last week received a four-line letter from Mr Wemyss, informing them that their homes are being sold "as an investment portfolio" and giving them details if they want to purchase their own property.

But, most in the village are unable to afford the asking prices of about £130,000 and the quaint cottages are expected to generate much interest from investors or people looking to buy holiday homes.

Fife Council have vowed to help the stricken villagers and has contacted the Wemyss family to conduct emergency discussions.

Peter Grant, Fife Council leader, said: "I am extremely concerned about the situation in the Coaltown of Wemyss and I have already contacted Wemyss Estates to initiate direct discussions.

"Fife Council is determined to support the community. Obviously, we have a moral and legal obligation to help people who find themselves without accommodation, but what we want to do here is prevent people from becoming homeless even for one day."

Mr Grant confirmed that the council has been in talks with Kingdom Housing Association about the possibility of them taking ownership of the properties.

Home ownership

Bob, 78, and Jessie Beck, also 78, moved to South Row in 1994 to enjoy their retirement.

The pair spent thousands of pounds updating the property with new furnishings and carpet, and transforming their garden.

Mr Beck said: "When we got the letter through the door, we phoned the estate agents to find out how much they were selling our cottage for, because we do have some savings.

"But when we were told that it was being sold for £127,500, we realised that we were in some trouble because there is no way we could possibly afford that.

"The idea of being evicted and becoming homeless is horrendous. We don't know where we can go."

Wemyss Properties, the family company which is handling the sale, said in a statement: "Wemyss Properties is committed to maintaining a dialogue with any tenants who are anxious, and to facilitate the sale of any individual properties to those tenants who might be interested in acquiring their homes.

"This is an opportunity which had not been available before, and the company would wish where possible to see residents secure the ownership of their home."