Bid to save ‘ irreplaceable landmark’
Petition to preserve police station
Controversial plans to demolish a police station are not fair cop.
That is the message from campaigner Gareth Bevan who has launched a petition to save the Prestwick building.
South Ayrshire Council wants to knock down the old jail and neighbouring social work building to make way for eight homes for the elderly.
Planners hope to buy the Main Street station from Police Scotland for £ 100,000.
Dad- of- one Gareth, 40, has lodged a complaint with the council about the matter.
The IT worker said: “I have lived in Prestwick for 40 years and have stood by and watched our local authority make horrendous decisions in recent years which have led to the substantial degradation of our historic town.
“No demolition should take place as these irreplaceable landmark buildings are an essential piece of our town’s heritage and significantly contribute to our Main Street’s unique character. Once gone, these buildings would be lost forever.
“For these to be replaced with modern flats could only be categorised as vandalism. The buildings have been maintained until recently and would be fit for purpose for a number of other uses.”
He points out how a proposed conservation area for Prestwick has sidelined the historic plot - just skirting around the perimeter.
He said: “On one hand, South Ayrhsire Council are proposing to demolish these buildings whilst on the other it would appear that a conservation area is being discussed to protect the well being of our town centre. This surely makes no sense? Why are other nearby towns now protecting similar assets? In nearby Ardrossan, the local old Police Station which was in a much worse state than ours was able to be redeveloped whilst maintaining its original features.”
To sign the petition visit: www. change. org.