Hamilton's former Vogue Cinema is one step closer to becoming a block of affordable housing after councillors agreed to its sale.
Clyde Valley Housing Association will now be able to start work on a £3.4 million project to create 23 one and two-bedroom homes.
Executive director for community and enterprise Michael McGlynn told the executive committee on Wednesday March 10, that the sale of the building for just £1 represented "best value for the council" because the excess cost of retaining the façade and other remedial work renders the site almost worthless.
In recent years, the building has been “a challenge to maintain” costing the council between £3000 and £5000 a year.
Originally home to the La Scala cinema built in the 1920s, the site has been unoccupied since 1997 when the bingo hall closed.
SLC took over the site in 1998 as part of a “land consolidation exercise” and several plans were mooted including the creation of an arts centre, however, none of these came to fruition.
Funding totalling £440,000 from phase one and two of the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Capital Grants Fund has been awarded to Clyde Valley HA which will enable a five-storey development of one and two-bedroom homes.
Independent group leader Margaret Cooper (Avondale and Stonhouse) - who has previously complained about the amount of public money spent in Hamilton town centre - welcomed the proposals adding that it was "part of the town that needs to be redeveloped".
Hamilton South councillor Josh Wilson added that "the sale for £1 may seem cheap" but that the "historic façade was important to the people of Hamilton"
Cllr Stephanie Callaghan (Hamilton North and East) said it was "really great to see this coming forward" while Cllr Lynne Nailon (Hamilton South) added "it is going to be a great start for that part of Hamilton".
Mr McGlynn said: "As part of the preparation of the Hamilton Town Centre Strategy, the public consultation identified the Vogue as a priority for redevelopment and a particular strong desire to retain the existing façade.
"There is a continued lack of real and tangible market interest in the site.
"The issues with the site are quite significant in terms of its development. The town centre funding will help bridge that financial gap otherwise it would not be financially viable.
"The site doesn't have a market value. In essence, the actual cost of redevelopment is outweighed by the value.
"The cost, in excess of £300,000, of extensive works required to allow the development to go ahead exceeds the market value.
"It is on this basis chair, that we feel that a sale for a nominal value of £1 reflects best value for the council."
However, Cllr Alan Falconer (Hamilton West and Earnock) felt the sale did not represent best value as the council could have applied for the same grants Clyde Valley HA were awarded instead of "giving £250,000 a year [in rent] away".
