Council approves ownership transfer of former Pinwherry Primary School
Plans are in motion to redevelop the old school to a new community-centred facility
A community development charity have ambitious plans to redevelop a former village primary school into a community-centre facility.
South Ayrshire Council has now approved the transfer of ownership of the former Pinwherry Primary School to Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Development Trust (PPCDT), a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).
PPCDT plan to redevelop the old school, near Girvan, South Ayrshire, to a sustainable, multi-purpose and accessible community-centred facility which will boast a community hall, kitchen, office space and meeting room.
The new facility will deliver a wide range of benefits for the local community, including; improved social activities for all ages, development of services to help reduce isolation and loneliness among elderly residents, services for young people and the generation of space and facilities to enable local business growth.
PPCDT will also benefit from a £107,000 capital grant from the Council’s Advancing Community Assets Fund.
This will be used to complete essential repairs required for the main building and nursery annexe building.
PPCDT Trustees said: “Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Development Trust are delighted that our community asset transfer application to South Ayrshire Council for the purchase of the former Pinwherry School, has been approved.
“This news is a real boost to the communities of Pinwherry and Pinmore and, we believe, is a fitting tribute to our late Chair, Peter Walker’s, legacy in driving the project forward to this stage.”
Councillor Brian McGinley, Portfolio Holder for Resource and Performance, said: “We’re committed to working with partners to support our communities by making the most of our local economy. I’m really pleased that the building looks set to bring benefits to many people in the local community.”
Councillor Ian Cochrane, Portfolio Holder for Environment, added: “We want to make South Ayrshire a better place to live, and we’re helping to create strong, successful, sustainable and effective communities through the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process.”
