Almost two years after evicting long-term tenants of heritage-listed settlement houses in Ludlow, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has confirmed it is in talks with a community group which has expressed interest in leasing the cottages and mill site.
A DBCA spokeswoman last week told the Times a private contractor was removing asbestos from the forestry settlement site, which she said was a necessary step in the ongoing consideration for the management of the site.
There has been renewed interest in the settlement after an event organised by the Ludlow Tuart Forest Restoration Group last month, which drew more than 1000 people to the area keen to learn about the history of the mill.
Group president Evelyn Taylor said the group was encouraged by the work being undertaken at the site and members were confident the cottages could be restored.