Green light for Ayr church annex plan

Daily Record

5 days ago

Religious leaders at the church in John Street previously lodged a planning application with South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for the works.
A plan to make alterations and build an extension to Riverside Evangelical Church in Ayr has been approved.
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Religious leaders at the church in John Street previously lodged a planning application with South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for the works.
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Now those proposals have been given the green light.
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Agents in the proposals were Hamilton-based Angus Design Associates.
A supporting statement read: 'Riverside Church plays a key part in meeting the physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs of its local community.
'On a Sunday morning we have over 200 people gathered - representing a wide spectrum of age and background.
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'Throughout the week we have a busy programme of activities that we either run or host, attracting more people and meeting a wide variety of need.
'To maintain and build on this success, the time has come to redevelop and improve our facilities.
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'Our current 'halls' are not only tired but would require significant structural work to remain usable and fit for purpose.
'We have developed plans with the needs of service users and providers at the forefront of our ambition.'
The application states that the proposed new annexe will be 'more accessible' to people with impaired mobility and will provide a 'flexible range of rooms and spaces' of different sizes to accommodate the needs of different types of activity.
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The supporting statement continues: 'As well as the types of activity one might expect a church to run – worship events, study groups, children's clubs, parents and toddler groups, youth activities, etc – we also provide a range of practical services.
'As a church- and through our charity Riverside Community Trust- we work in partnership with (among others) South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Seascape Housing Support, Housing 1st (SAC), Working for Wallacetown, NHS South Ayrshire Treatment and Recovery Team (START), Connect 4 Change, NHS Oral Health Team, Circles Advocacy, Ayr Housing Aid, Outside Clinic Opticians, Fuel Bank Foundation, Christians Against Poverty, The Gaiety Theatre and SAC's Community Learning & Development.
'The new annexe will provide accommodation more appropriate to the services we offer. The modern welcoming environment will help enhance the self-worth of clients who are often struggling due to mental health issues, trauma, poverty, homelessness, and drug or alcohol issues.
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'We provide a home to an ESOL group made up of refugees and immigrants from a variety of nations. We also accommodate groups for people who suffer from severe anxiety and other potentially life-limiting mental health conditions.'
The statement adds: 'Our various activities help enhance inclusion, and assist people in overcoming social isolation. The new annexe will allow us to develop a warm and welcoming space where people can get a free meal, and get help or advice on a range of issues including personal debt, health, fuel poverty, addictions and housing problems.
'The plans also include purpose-built office facilities for our staff who work both in the church and on outreach in the local community.
'The enhanced facilities will also assist us in expanding our services to children and young people, and allow us to provide suitable amenities for training events for local businesses, charities and other groups.
'We would also hope to run more concerts,conferences, film nights and other events of interest to members of the church and local community.'
The plans have been designed in a way that will protect the capacity of the church car park, and the demolition of the existing hall will allow staff to provide additional parking spaces– taking traffic away from neighbouring streets.