Important decisions need to be made about the future of Belleisle Conservatory that is classified as a listed structure in the list of buildings of special architectural interest in South Ayrshire that is held by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

The building is currently closed as a result of storm damage, vandalism and as part of the Council's savings measures for financial year 2005/06.

Convener of South Ayrshire Council's Economic and Tourism Development Committee, Councillor Margaret Toner said: "Since it was constructed in the late 19 th century Belleisle Conservatory has been well visited, and much loved by local people and tourists who visit Belleisle Estate.

"The condition of the building has been allowed to deteriorate over the last few years through a lack of capital investment.

"The Council now has to make important decisions about the future of the building and I hope that it will be saved so that future generations can enjoy it."

It is currently estimated that £350,000 would be required to bring the building up to an acceptable standard both aesthetically and to meet Health and Safety standards.

In order to try and secure the future of the building Members of the Economic and Tourism Development Committee have looked at a range of options:

• Secure the building in the short term to minimise health and safety risks and public liability.
• Invite expressions of interest from charitable/not for profit organisations to take ownership of the management and maintenance of the building consistent with current use.
• Invite expressions of interest from the public and private sector and examine proposals for alternative use.
• After exhausting all other options and if no suitable or alternative use can be found, seek planning consent to demolish the building and reinstate the footprint area.

Advice has been sought from the Kyle and Carrick Civic Society and from the Council's Planning service. The advice offered indicates that if no action is taken the fabric of the conservatory will continue to deteriorate until it becomes a major health and safety issue. Planning permission would be required to erect protective boarding on, or screening around, the conservatory to protect the public from injury caused by broken glass panes on the facing edges of the building.

There are various grant-funding bodies, such as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLG) and Historic Scotland, who may be able to assist the Council with restoration funding. However, it should be noted that this would require significant staff resource commitment and a successful application for grant funding cannot be guaranteed. As part of the grant application, the Council would be required to provide assurance and commitment towards a wider vision of what Belleisle Estate and the Conservatory facility has to offer the local community and visitors. Further merit could be gained by demonstrating partnership linkages with nearby visitor attractions such as the Burns Heritage facilities in Alloway.

If grant funding was made available there would be a requirement to reinstate the revenue maintenance budget to cover the cost of property maintenance, supplies and services and employees.

Members of the Committee decided that the future of Belleisle Conservatory would not be determined until an options appraisal has been prepared by external consultants, and a brief has been prepared by Officers of the Environment and Infrastructure section of the Council. These reports will then be submitted to the Committee for their consideration.

February 2006