PLANS for renovation works at a historic Campbeltown building have been revealed by Argyll and Bute Council.
The Burnet Building is the subject of a listed building consent application for a structural repair to its basement slab, and alterations to its ground floor customer service point to form a discreet space.
Alterations to windows also feature in the proposal by the council, a decision on which is expected by late September. The public can now view the plans and submit feedback.
The authority announced in May that the grade A listed Burnet Building, which it owns, had undergone some remedial works in recent weeks.
A supporting statement by a council officer said: “The public library and museum, dated 1897-9 was gifted to the town of Campbeltown by James Macalister Hall Esq of Tangy and Killean.
“Designed by JJ Burnet in Scots Renaissance style, the handsome interior is still intact, and with category A listing sits within the conservation area.
“The two-storey wing along Hall Street originally, originally the reference library, is now used as council offices.
“The open plan office space at first floor level has openable windows providing natural ventilation however the open plan office space at ground floor has fixed windows and therefore is currently non-compliant in terms of ventilation.
“In order to achieve compliance we propose to alter the existing timber windows to openable lights as provided on the first floor.”
The statement added: “We have appointed mechanical engineers to advise on the ventilation and the alternative to altering the windows would be to introduce fresh air inlet louvre grilles to the principal Hall Street elevation leading to plenum boxes internally.
“Even with the use of heritage grilles to the external elevation, we feel this level of disruption to the historic fabric is not appropriate and that altering the windows would be a more sensitive way of achieving compliance.
“We will be happy to share proposed design details for information/approval should this approach be considered acceptable.”
To view the plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 26/01271/LIB.
