The historical Africa House which is nestled in Ardeer has been saved from being razed to the ground.
North Ayrshire Council planners were set to meet to decide the fate of the crumbling B-listed property after owners Clowes Developments (Scotland) Ltd applied to demolish the site after it lay empty for a quarter of a century.
However, they have now requested the application be rejected following a fierce community campaign to save the site.
The Dutch-style barn was built in 1938 for the British Empire Exhibition at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow before being rebuilt in North Ayrshire.
Explosives company ICI Nobel moved to Africa House and used the pavilion as a staff canteen until the early 2000s near to Nobel House at the gargantuan site.
Then, in 2006, Clowes bought the empty landmark.
A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “The applicant was made aware of the proposed recommendation to refuse the application and has withdrawn it to enable further discussion with us. They have also requested that Historic Environment Scotland be part of these discussions.”
Davina McTiernan, SNP councillor for Stevenston, was heartened by the community effort.
She said: “I would like to thank all residents and community activists who got solidly behind the campaign to save Africa House.
“It was a campaign worth fighting and I’m pleased Clowes Developments listened to the voice of local people.
“We now need to ensure the building is preserved and incorporated sympathetically into any future development at the Ardeer site.”
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