LDRSAn extra £153,000 will go towards securing the future of the B-listed former police station in Renfrew after elected members backed the move.
The cash is needed to fund the recently agreed demolition of a rear portion of the Inchinnan Road landmark, namely offices and cells, and rot removal work.
The step was rubber-stamped at Renfrewshire Council’s finance, resources and customer services policy board on Thursday, bringing the total project budget to £263,000 – although £25,000 has already been spent on repairs.
Councillor Edward Grady, a Labour representative for Renfrew South and Gallowhill, asked at the meeting: “Does this money complete the works and repairs as we see them at this time, subject to unforeseen issues?
“Basically, does this complete the works described in this paper?”
Alastair MacArthur, director of finance and resources, responded: “In terms of the works and the total amount that has been requested here, that is anticipated to be all that would be required to complete the works that are outlined within this report.
“There is an element of contingency within that balance that has been outlined here and hopefully that will be sufficient to address any unforeseen works that might arise.
“Obviously when you’re doing intrusive works in a building of this nature, sometimes there can be issues that are unforeseen which would potentially add to the cost but, as I said, there is a degree of contingency within that amount that is proposed within this report.”
The former police station dates back to 1910 and was designed by Alexander Nisbet Paterson.
It was leased by the police until June 2012 before they moved on to new premises in Station Road.
Since then, the two-storey building in the Baronial Revival style has lain vacant.
The property has suffered severe deterioration in the years since, exacerbated by regular break-ins, vandalism and extensive water ingress.
Towards the end of 2023, it was agreed approximately £110,000 should be allocated for repair and maintenance works.
The local authority previously submitted an application to the Levelling Up Fund for a £20 million project to transform the police station and neighbouring swimming baths into a community hub but the bid was unsuccessful.
The council will continue to search for a viable and sustainable use for the site in the hope of securing its future.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
