A small army charity's bid to return an old Paisley barracks to its former glory has landed a major boost after a community asset transfer was agreed.
Western Desert Recce Group (WDRG) will pay £1 to take over the Whitehaugh Barracks from Renfrewshire Council – paving the way for the organisation to begin an ambitious restoration project.
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.
It has now been given the opportunity to do that after councillors approved its request at Wednesday's community asset transfer sub-committee.
Senior officers have been authorised to conclude the sale of the C-listed barracks, which is located in Whitehaugh Avenue.
WDRG's aim is for the facility to provide a space where it can run activities, create a vehicle repair and restoration workshop, display heritage vehicles and equipment, share the group's knowledge and deliver mentoring and education sessions to visitors.
Sandra Inrig, the council's programme manager for community asset transfer and regeneration, said: "Council officers have been working with this group in relation to its interest in Whitehaugh Barracks since 2019 and the group has now applied to purchase the whole of the building through the community asset transfer process.
"The intention is to develop the barracks and the adjacent land and outbuildings into a living history museum for military history during both world wars and in order to support all armed forces veterans, militia organisations and to create a community hub.
"WDRG is passionate about delivering this project within the local community and celebrating the asset for its history.
"It intends to work and collaborate with other voluntary community groups to make the best use of the asset going forward.
"The group is well placed to secure extensive funding, which is likely to be required to restore and maintain the building, not just for its own purpose but for future generations."
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron said: "It's a really, really good business plan and thorough.
"They have evidence of lots of partnership working but I think there's probably scope in the future for increased partnership working with the health and social care partnership, other bodies and things like that.
"It's a good start."
The cost and transfer will be conditional on WDRG securing the resources for full restoration of the site within five years of ownership.
The council will reserve the right to reclaim the asset for £1 if funding is not secured and renovations do not commence within that period.
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