An abandoned listed building in Lochwinnoch which was once part of a nursing home is set to finally be torn down.
Plans to bulldoze the former dormitory building within the old St Joseph's Missionary College site were unanimously approved by councillors this week.
The crumbling wreck in Corsefield Road - which is C-listed - has become an eyesore after years of neglect and vandalism and structural surveys concluded it could not be saved.
It used to form part of St Joseph's Nursing Home which shut in 2005.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Graiseley Investments Ltd now has permission to get rid of it and has already been in talks with the council about replacing it with a new 40-bed care home.
The building dates back to 1936 and now stands alone on the site following the demolition of Garthland House.
Councillors carried out a site visit earlier this month to review the condition of the structure.
SNP councillor John McNaughtan said at the planning board meeting: "I called for the site visit and I'm quite satisfied there's no architectural value in it.
"Allowing the demolition will allow the safeguarding of the rest of the site and some more important buildings."
A report to the board stated development of a new care home could allow for the refurbishment of other structures around the elevated walled garden and the important chapel building which has "significant architectural qualities".
Labour councillor John Hood added: "I’m just glad to see this going ahead because it’s been going on forever.
"I made a site visit down there I think in 2005 so it's been going on for a long time."
In a representation submitted to the council, the dormitory building was described as a danger to children with Forest View Primary School situated close by.
No formal application has yet been submitted for a new care home but the council has laid down a condition that no demolition will happen until signed and binding contracts are in place to secure the immediate redevelopment of the site.
A second condition also states the building must not be torn down until it has been demonstrated architectural features worthy of salvage have been identified and shall be saved through the demolition process.
