Charity lands funding boost in bid to transform Whitehaugh Barracks

A small army charity has landed a boost in its bid to return an old barracks in Paisley to its former glory.

Western Desert Recce Group will receive £10,000 in council funding as it develops a community asset transfer request for the Whitehaugh Barracks.

Councillors approved the cash at Tuesday’s communities and housing policy board – matching an award from the Architectural Heritage Fund.

The group wants to transform the run-down building into a thriving community hub, with a working and living history museum, which would showcase old military vehicles.

Gary Wallace, the charity’s chair, said the funds will pave the way for surveys which will allow a better understanding of the works required to refurbish the C-listed barracks.

He told the Paisley Daily Express: “We can’t find any floor plans or any building plans anywhere. We’ve had to get the full survey done and get it all mapped out again.

“Once that’s done and we know the extent of what’s to be repaired and the damage, we’re then looking at opening up a working museum in the garage area for rebuilding and restoring military vehicles from World War I and World War II, and training people and taking people from the community and letting them be volunteers or helpers.

“The main building is going to have another museum space, which is going to tell the story of the barracks.

“The rest of the building we want to open up as a community café and meeting area, there would be spaces and multi-function areas that people can hire, a research library and an IT hub.”

It's hoped the old barracks can be turned into a community hub (Submitted)

At Tuesday’s meeting, Councillor John McNaughtan sought assurances from officers about local community involvement in the plans.

He said it had “the makings of a good project” if that was achieved.

Laura McIntyre, the council’s head of policy and commissioning, said: “Although the group are not resident in Renfrewshire, I believe, at the present time, they are seeking to develop this as a key asset for Renfrewshire and its communities.

“I understand they’ve had quite a bit of engagement even with schools around their activities in Renfrewshire, so that’s something that we would be looking to see really reinforced through their bid as they come forward in terms of how the wider Renfrewshire community can be part of this and benefit from any future development.”

Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here