Long-running fight for town community hub moves step forward

The fight to bring a community resource to Monifieth has cleared another hurdle and it could mean that a fit for purpose hub could be up and running in less than a year.

Monifieth Community Resource Group’s (MCRG) bid to have the old Invertay primary school building transferred into community ownership has been given the first green light by Angus Council.

MCRG’s chair Jean Lee said she was “beyond delighted” with the news that their Stage 1 application for a Community Asset Transfer had been successful.

“We had been planning for a new build when we found out that Invertay House, as it’s presently named, would be surplus to Angus Council requirements at the end of this year,” she said.

“The old school building is well loved by the people of Monifieth and its location at the end of the High Street meant that it was always going to be first choice for a community resource – but it wasn’t available until now.

“Our original plans were shelved while we investigated the potential of the school and it is absolutely fantastic.

“We’ll be able to provide services that are currently not available locally and there will be space for lots of groups to meet socially and functionally for leisure and business.”

She said it would be community owned and run, which would “keep the building for community use instead of being converted into flats or sitting rotting waiting for a buyer as often happens to big old buildings”.

Ms Lee added lots of local interested parties have come forward with ideas and plans for cooperative and community use of the space.

“During the recent Talk Monifieth Charrette exercise our project took prominence as the major priority for the town,” she said. “Of course there’s lots more work to be done before we can submit a Stage 2 application, but we’ve got a great team and I reckon the whole of Monifieth will be behind us every step of the way.”