Steeple plan ‘left inlimbo’

The ‘will they, won’t they’ tale of Prestwick Freeman’s Hall steeple is still in limbo, more than a decade after it was dismantled.

In 2011, South Ayrshire Council condemned the steeple at the Burgh Hall, built in 1837, dismantling it and removing a iconic part of the town centre landscape.

Two years later it appeared that a new steeple would take its place, with significant support from the community. It was estimated the job would cost £345,000.

However, despite getting a positive response, the council performed a u-turn, blaming rising costs - by that point up to £455,000. Before this, the work planned would have utilised council funds.

However, the council began to suggest that, as a Common Good asset, the restoration work would have to be covered entirely by the Common Good Fund itself or secure external funding.

Even before the estimated rise in costs, the sums involved were higher than the fund’s remaining balance, with questions asked about the council’s initial pledge.

In 2015, with the cost of a rebuild still ruling major work out, a proposal was made to put a laser in place on the roof of the hall as a creative, less expensive alternative.

The council’s Partnership Panel heard that the saga had yet to come to a conclusion one way or another.

Louise Reid, Assistant Director of Place at SAC, outlined the background to the situation and pointed out that no decision had yet been made and said: “The costs are probably more like £600,000, and there currently no proposals or funding.

“However, there are a number of funds on place planning. We expect to get more information in the next few weeks, so there may be more opportunities.

“But at the moment there are no plans to rebuild the steeple.”

Labour Councillor Ian Cavana asked for clarification, saying: “We keep kicking this into touch. What are we going to do with the Freeman’s Hall? What is the ultimate goal for this council?”

The Assistant Director said that, as the property was held as a Common Good asset, the cost of a steeple would leave the account in deficit.

She added: “If funding is able to be identified it can be reviewed. At the moment there are no proposals coming forward.”

The hall has been used for a wide range of purposes, including a prison, school and council offices.