Hotel’s fate lies with the council
Fears landmark could be beyond saving
“A feasibility study to gather evidence and consider each of the options available should aid the council in informing their decision on the building.
“I have been advised that the current building safety encapsulation can remain in place for approximately five years, provided there are regular inspections to ensure it remains secure. It is clearly desirable that a decision on the building’s future should be made well within that timeframe.”
Esther said she has now written back to find out “if there is any conservation component or environmental audit included in this suggested feasibility study”.
She said: “There will be pollution, disruption and excess use of world resources apart from the loss of townscape if the Station Hotel goes.
“It looks like we could be stuck with our scaffolding and cladding for up to five years by which the building will be beyond saving.
“We will end up spending more on a new build, having more disruption and an ugly building which perhaps, fortunately, will not last many decades.”
A multi- agency Task Force was established to support South Ayrshire Council’s efforts to remove the exclusion zone introduced in 2018.
Mr Williamson added: “The Task Force’s role was to ensure Ayr railway station re- opened and to achieve this worked with key stakeholders to make sure the hotel building was safe.
“Effective partnership working through the Task Force then led to the restoration of rail services as safely and as quickly as possible in November 2018.”
Esther added: “The Task Force clearly does not see the Hotel as anything but South Ayrshire Council ( SAC) responsibility. However, SAC has its hands tied as it has no funding, while the Government has money and will probably spend more on a new build rather than regeneration.”
A council spokesperson said: “The council took action to secure the dangerous building in 2018 under the powers available to it through the Building ( Scotland) Act 2003.
“The building remains in private ownership but the Council as part of the Scottish Government Task Force is involved in discussions around its future.”