A flagship community hall build which is the first of its kind in Scotland has taken a huge step forward with planning approved.
The Westbridgend project is the first in the country under the Community Empowerment Act which, upon completion, will see the reins handed over to the public to run.
It has been a long process to get to this stage with the previous facility, deemed unsafe, knocked down in 2017.
And there have been many hurdles to negotiate already.
But secretary Alice Moffat is cock-a-hoop that hard work by a dedicated six-strong team of trustees has led to this major development.
She said: “We are ecstatic. It has been such a long process.
“We started off in 2017 and despite the obstacles and problems and delays we have encountered, we have hung on every step of the way.
“It is a big step for us getting the planning permission.”
The building, which will be situated on Bowie Street will provide much-needed civic space for residents in the 185 flats at Lomond, Clyde and Leven Court as well as a cafe - but the facility will be available for all.
Alice explained how important this project is as people get back out into the community after lockdown.
She said: “There are 185 flats sitting down there and there’s no community hall but it’s not just for Wesbridgend.
“It’s going to have a cafe, open spaces and a massive big hall.
“It’s just to die for.
“If we get everything we have asked for, we will be delighted.
“There’s a lot of elderly people there and a lot of people with mobility issues.
“For them to have a wee bingo to go to or a club means a lot. With the cafe, they will be able to go and have lunch. Things like that will make such a difference in their lives, to get out of their wee flat and in amongst people again.”
Alice stressed the importance of this project as a trailblazer for future community involvement across Scotland.
She said: “This is the first hall to be built in Scotland that comes under the Community Empowerment Act where the council build it and hand it over lock, stock and barrel to the community to run.
“We have a lot of pressure on to make sure we have got funds and it is a real feather in the cap of the council.”
One of the next major steps in the planning of the project will be to secure funding.
The cost of the project has already been impacted by issues with the foundations as well as flood prevention measures with the hall having to be located further back from the Leven than the previous building.
Some £675,000 which was ringfenced by West Dunbartonshire Council will now no longer be sufficient in addressing these issues.
The costs and delays of building materials have also risen recently which will be a factor which will have to be considered.
As they negotiate through the next steps, she explained how the community members will be key once they get closer to starting to build which she hopes will happen within the next year.
The secretary added: “It has been difficult. There are six trustees.
“As we get nearer to the build of the hall, we need to draw the community in. We need to get them behind us, get volunteers and people supporting us to get the hall opened.”
