Glassford Community Group is celebrating a double – receiving funding for and getting the go-ahead to purchase the village hall.
The group was granted a community benefit fund from the renewable energy fund (REF) at South Lanarkshire Council’s community enterprise resources committee this week.
It was awarded the sum of £41,394.85 from Dungavel Windfarm, a contributor to the REF.
The grant will allow the group to take ownership of Glassford village hall.
A spokesperson said: “Glassford community group has been working to improve the amenities in the village and saw an asset transfer of the hall as key to creating a true community hub.
“We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Renewable Energy Fund to achieve our objective of buying the hall, without which we would not have been able to proceed. The funding also covers ongoing costs well into 2022 and we are really grateful that the community and enterprise committee approved the application yesterday.
“We are also delighted that the housing and technical resources committee approved the Community Asset Transfer and we look forward to getting down to work in 2022. This funding will set us on the path to achieving the ambitions of our community in Glassford.”
The group intends to operate the hall for a year and then refurbish the property. It will be used as a community facility, and there are plans to possibly include a café and shop in the hall.
A survey report has been carried out and the group is aware of the work that needs to be done to bring the property up to standard.
The community group conducted public consultation and received 165 positive survey returns, suggesting the purchase of the village hall will be a success.
Glassford community group consists of 30 volunteers and it has consulted widely on the project to research, co-ordinate and reflect the views of the Glassford community.