Chicago couple fume council delay to £1m rescue plan will ‘leave Aberdeenshire castle home in ruins.

The owners allege the castle is in “severely deteriorated condition” and is “uninhabitable” due to water incursion, saying the leaks have caused “untold damage.”

The owners of Balbegno Castle have turned to the Scottish Government as they hurry to begin crucial Improvements totalled £1 million. Caroline and Lee Betsill purchased the 16th-century A-listed castle last year, when it was listed for £780,000.

However, they are requesting permission to repair and expand Fettercairn Castle, alleging it has been “severely neglected”.

The team also intends to construct garden walls and a conventional greenhouse on the property.

They submitted an appeal to the Scottish Government since Aberdeenshire Council is failed to make a decision on the case. Mr and Mrs Betsill allege they have not received any communication from the local administration since the beginning of September.

According to the new owners, the castle is in “severely deteriorated condition” and “uninhabitable” due to water penetration. They allege the leaks caused “untold damage” to the building’s fabric and interior finishes.

The pair also stated that without significant investment, the castle would “undoubtedly become a future ruin”. Prior to submitting their planning application in April, the couple completed necessary repairs.

On September 5, a planning officer and a member of the constructed heritage team paid a visit to the castle in anticipation of a decision. However, the pair claims they have not gotten any further updates since.

The Betsills went on to say that numerous attempts to contact the local government via email and phone had “gone unanswered.”

The four-story old structure features six bedrooms, two cellars, and a tower wing. In planning applications, the couple stated that the expenses of carrying out necessary renovations to the property are “eye-watering”.

It clarified: “This is a project being carried out by a family who wish to relocate to Balbegno, as a family home, for the long term.”

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com