PLANS have been lodged for an existing church building to be converted into a hall for use by the community in a Mid Argyll village.
The Lochgair Association has submitted the proposal to Argyll and Bute Council for Lochgair Church and Hall, which would also see repairs to the fabric of the building.
The church is currently not in use due to ongoing works and is a category C listed building. The community hall has recently been refurbished.
The council has not yet shared a date when it is expected to rule on the application, but the public can view the plans and submit feedback.
A design statement by planning agents JM Architects said: “The proposal is for the church to be converted into a mixed-use space through a refurbishment, which will involve connecting the church building to the adjacent community hall building via a new link walkway structure of a contemporary design which will improve accessibility and usability of the facilities.
“The refurbishment of the existing church building itself will take a conservation-led approach and will involve replacement of internal and external finishes, structural repairs and repairs to the roof and rainwater goods, as well as incorporation of a photovoltaic panel array to assist in energy generation.
“The community hall and church are currently accessed separately, with the connection between the two by virtue of a slabbed path.
“The proposal is to formalise this route into a covered, glazed accessible walkway that enhances the usability of the spaces as well as providing additional sanitary accommodation through the provision of two new accessible WCs.”
The statement added: “Within the existing church building, the existing cementitious render will be removed and reinstated with a lime-based render whilst internally the existing plaster and lathe will be removed and reinstated with a new lime-based plaster lining on wood fibre insulation to significantly improve thermal performance. A photovoltaic array is proposed on the roof of both the community hall and the church building.”
To view the plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s website at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 25/01238/PP.
