'Eyesore' primary school in Cumnock is set to be demolished
Plans have been lodged to level the site after the school buildings were labelled surplus to requirements and an 'eyesore.'
The former Greenmill Primary School in Cumnock's Barrhill Road is to be completely demolished, under new proposals.
Ayrshire Live can reveal that plans have been lodged to level the site after the school buildings were labelled surplus to requirements and an 'eyesore.'
Attempts were made to see if the community could take on the site, but its size proved problematic and plans to sell the site also proved fruitless.
Now it appears that the entire site will be cleared after East Ayrshire Council announced proposals for its demolition.
Agents in the proposals are Wylie Shanks Architects who said in a statement: 'East Ayrshire Council have no need for the school since it has been replaced by the Barony Campus in 2021.
'It has in the interim been used temporarily by another primary school. Given the building was surplus it has been offered to community groups however no community groups had a need for a building of that size. The site has been marketed for sale, yet no offers have been made over a reasonable period on the market. The site is noted in the Local Development Plan as being recommended for a residential development with the existing buildings reused.
'The building has been kept in use up until earlier this year, since then it appears repairs have been outpaced by vandalism. Efforts have been made to sell the building but this has not proved successful.'
The agents also claim that the building, in its current structural condition, would require 'extensive refurbishment' in order to be brought back into use. And the works associated with this would be 'costly' and would 'not be commercially viable.'
Their statement adds: 'It is our view that whilst the building could contribute somewhat positively to the townscape were it to be redeveloped, the vandalism that has already taken place is beginning to turn it into an eyesore which will quickly start to detract from the area.
'In the event of a fire the building could pose a serious risk to the public.
'Were the building to be demolished the site would be a more commercially attractive development opportunity that could return the site to residential use as supported in the Local Development Plan.'
A decision on the demolition proposals is expected in due course.
Greenmill Primary was last used as a temporary home for Netherthird Primary School before it moved to its new facility in February 2024. The building has been vacant since then and has suffered from vandalism, including broken windows, internal damage and attempted fires.
Before becoming Greenmill Primary the site was home to Hillside House, built in 1846 it was a grand villa set in extensive gardens.
Cumnock Public School would later be opened in 1847 at the other side of Barrhill Road, opposite Hillside House.
Over the years as the number of students increased various extensions were added but the requirements of the school kept outgrowing the buildings.
In 1909 after Margret Crichton, the owner of Hillside House died, the site was purchased by the School Board and the house was converted into an educational building. In 1926 an annex was opened, after which in 1927 it became Cumnock Academy. Another wing was added in 1939 at which time Hillside house was demolished.
In 1969 Cumnock Academy moved to a newbuild school on Ayr Road and the building became Greenmill Primary School.
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