5 - Built Heritage Buildings at Risk Register (BARR) Update - FINAL
Renfrewshire Council · 18 March 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 18 March 2025 and its agenda
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Page - 1 -of 6 ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 18 March 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Built Heritage: Buildings at Risk Register (BARR) Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to update members on the status of the Buildings at Risk Register (BARR) and its relevance to buildings in Renfrewshire. The BARR is currently paused pending evaluation; however, progress is being made to secure the future of many heritage buildings in Renfrewshire that are currently deemed at risk. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Notes the status of Renfrewshire’s BARR-listed buildings, including those that remain ‘at risk,’ are under restoration, have been demolished, or have active or recently approved planning applications for development. (ii) Approves officers to continue dialogue with HES to ensure that the BARR (and any future alternative) remains accurate in relation to Renfrewshire. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Buildings at Risk Register (BARR) was established by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) in 1990 to provide information on properties of architectural or historic significance across the country that are considered ‘at risk,’ with the aim of encouraging their preservation. HES maintain the Register. Council officers have used the BARR to monitor Renfrewshire’s ‘at risk’ buildings annually, with the last update report presented to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 17 August 2021. In January 2025, members formally requested that officers should provide a further report on the status of Renfrewshire’s BARR listings and continue to keep members updated.
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Page - 2 -of 6 3.2 In March 2024, HES published a review report1 noting that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the BARR has had a significant impact on returning buildings to active use. The report provides five alternative options which HES are considering are set out in Table 1. Table 1: HES BARR options Option Description 1 Discontinue the BARR 2 Continue with the BARR in its current form 3 Targeted modification of the existing BARR to enhance its basic functions 4 Redevelop the BARR as a tool for potential restoring purchasers and attracting publicity 5 Redevelop the BARR as a comprehensive cyclical condition survey 3.3 Following the publication of the review report, HES paused the BARR in September 2024, stating that it would no longer be updated and that no further nominations for additions would be accepted until possible alternatives or adjustments to the Register have been assessed and decided upon. 3.4 Members should note that, as the BARR is no longer being updated, it cannot be relied upon as an accurate representation of building status. Over time, it will become increasingly outdated until an alternative system is adopted. 3.5 Officers will maintain dialogue with HES to stay informed of any selected alternative. In the meantime, they will continue to utilise the existing BARR to monitor Renfrewshire’s ‘at risk’ built heritage, supplementing it with their own intelligence on historically significant buildings in the area. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Renfrewshire’s Buildings at Risk 4.1 Table 2 below provides a summary of the BARR by location, category and condition. A more detailed summary of the status of Renfrewshire buildings listed on BARR can be found in Appendix A. Table 2: Summary of Renfrewshire BARR 1 Harlow Consulting. Buildings at Risk Register Review – Final Report (March 2024) -
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Page - 3 -of 6 Amount and location 4.2 There are currently 27 buildings listed on the Renfrewshire BARR (at 2024), with 22 categorised as ‘at risk’ and 5 as ‘restoration in progress.’ These buildings are spread across both rural and urban settings, with the majority located in the Paisley area. 4.3 Entries may be removed from the BARR for two reasons: positive restoration/reuse or demolition. Since 2020, ten buildings have been removed from the Renfrewshire BARR—six due to demolition and four due to restoration. Additionally, seven buildings were added between 2020 and 2025, resulting in the current total. 4.4 Officers consider that the BARR is not fully accurate at present. The TA building has recently been demolished by its owners and should be removed, while several other buildings have been restored or are in the process of being restored. Their status should be updated to ‘restoration in progress’ or removed. These buildings include 13 Moss Street, Kilbarchan Old Parish Church, Lochwinnoch K6 Phone Box, Paisley Coats Girls Club, and Sanctuary House. 4.5 A more accurate depiction of Renfrewshire’s BARR list would be 25 entries, with 17 classified as ‘at risk’ and 8 as ‘restoration in progress.’ It is worth noting that while the BARR is paused, no additional nominations for listed or historically significant buildings that might be deemed ‘at risk’ can be made. Ownership 4.6 Of Renfrewshire’s BARR listings, 23 out of 25 entries are privately owned. The remaining two properties—Kelvin House/Forbes Place (former council social work offices) and the former Renfrew Police Station—are owned by Renfrewshire Council and Renfrew Common Good Fund respectively. Both have remained vacant for several years. Planning Status 4.7 Of the 17 BARR buildings considered ‘at risk’, 2 have active or approved planning applications for demolition: • Leethland House (Elderslie): this longstanding, ruinous and fire damaged property has recently been granted planning permission to be demolished and replaced with a new dwelling. • St Joseph’s Missionary College Dormitory Building (Lochwinnoch): listed building and planning consents are awaiting a decision. If approved, the building would be demolished and replaced with a walled garden serving future residents of 30 proposed retirement flats on the wider site. 4.8 A further 6 of these ‘at risk’ buildings have recent active or approved planning applications and/or grant funding for positive restoration/reuse, namely: • Royal Alexandra Infirmary Main Building (Paisley): planning permission was granted in June 24 for the partial demolition and conversion of the RAI to form 36 units with parking and landscaping. • St Joseph’s Missionary College Chapel (Lochwinnoch): planning consent was attained for conversion into 5 retirement flats in November 2024.
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Page - 4 -of 6 • Renfrew Former Police Station (Renfrew): Listed Building consent was attained in November 2024 for partial demolition (cells to rear) and removal of dry rot throughout. • Priory Park (Paisley): Planning permission was granted in November 2024 for conversion into 17 flats. • 44 High Street (Paisley): Planning permission granted in August 2024 for extension and conversion into five flats. • Lochwinnoch Parish Church (Lochwinnoch): Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust has recently been awarded c.£200k to help to transform the former A listed church into a village hub. Condition 4.9 The BARR currently lists 13 buildings as ‘fair,’ 10 as ‘poor,’ 1 as ‘very poor,’ and 3 as ‘ruinous’. It also records the risk category for each building, with the current distribution as follows: 13 at ‘low risk,’ 9 at ‘moderate risk,’ and 5 at ‘high risk.’ Assessment 4.10 A major challenge in addressing buildings ‘at risk’ is that only two are owned by Renfrewshire Council or Renfrew Common Good Fund, while the vast majority are privately owned, some by multiple separate owners. 4.11 Of the two Council-owned listings, Kelvin House/Forbes Place has been vacant since 2009 and has been subject of a number of unsuccessful bids to market / sell the building, lapsed or withdrawn planning applications, and a lack of developer interest due to perceived site constraints and economic viability concerns. Towards the end of 2024, officers instructed works to secure the building, remove pest infestations, and carry out roof repairs. The property was remarketed in the latter half of 2024, and a report to the Infrastructure, Land, and Economy Board on March 19th will summarise the offers received and outline potential next steps. 4.12 The former Renfrew Police Station has recently received approval for partial demolition. This will involve the removal of the cells and rear buildings, as well as the clearance of dry and wet rot throughout the property, with the aim of making the building a more viable option for development. 4.13 For BARR properties not owned by Renfrewshire Council, intervention is much more challenging. The Council have taken positive steps to influence change: • Non-domestic rates relief previously offered to listed buildings has been significantly reduced (in 2023) from 100% to 10% with an aim of stimulating market activity. • Grants facilitation on historically important properties through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), Town Centre Fund (TCF), Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) and the TH.CARS2 schemes. • Continued dialogue with private owners to stimulate development, including site visits, such as with the owner of 1 High St, Paisley. 4.14 Officer interventions have led to progress in the restoration of several key buildings. For example, Paisley’s Grand Fountain (TH/CARS), the Russell Institute (TCF/RCGF), and the former Arnotts building (Joint Venture) have now been restored. While not included on the BARR, a substantial refurbishment was recently carried out on the prominent Liberal Club on Paisley’s High Street
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Page - 5 -of 6 through the TH/CARS2 scheme. Additionally, works funded by the RCGF have begun on the former Mannequins building, with the aim of bringing it back into active use as Scotland’s first dedicated youth theatre, to be operated by PACE. 4.15 Many former BARR buildings have also been restored through private owners or the community. Examples include the K6 Lochwinnoch phone box, the Original Secession Church, the Hawkhead Hospital Laundry Block, and Castlehead Church. In these cases, officer intervention has been limited to support and assessment through the planning and building control sections. 4.16 It is encouraging that many recently approved or active planning consents are in place for the development of buildings on the current BARR list. The former RAI, Priory Park, and St Joseph’s Missionary Chapel are all set to be brought back into active use, should these recent planning approvals be implemented. ___________________________________________________________________ 5 Next Steps 5.1 Officers will continue to engage with private owners to encourage positive development, respond to potential grants as they become available, and maintain and preserve the Council’s historical assets. 5.2 Monitoring of the BARR will continue to ensure it remains accurate for Renfrewshire, with officers providing timely reports to the relevant Council Board. __________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is thriving / Reshaping our place, our economy and our future – The project supports significant investment in Renfrewshire. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk – 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. Climate Risk – None
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Page - 6 -of 6 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. Cosla Policy Position - None ________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Listed Buildings and Built Heritage. Communities, Housing and Planning Board, 17 August 2021 ___________________________________________________________________ ES 21/02/2025 Author: Euan Shearer, Regeneration and Place Manager
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# Settlement Settlement Cat. of Listing Ownership Condition Category of Risk BARR Status RC Opinion Development Status Action 1 Mannequins II (Former), 13, Old Sneddon Street Paisley N/A Private Poor Low REST. REST. Phase 1 works complete. Seeking funding for next phase. Retain as REST. 2 11 Lawn Street Paisley N/A Private Fair Low AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning activity and further degradation. Retain as AT RISK 3 Old Paisley Fire Station, 10-14, Gordon Street Paisley B Private Fair Low REST. REST. Development started with internal works, sandstone restoration to outside and new windows. Retain as REST. 4 Territorial Army Centre (Former), 76, High Street Paisley B Private Ruinous Moderate AT RISK REMOVE Building demolished. Remove from BARR Remove from BARR 5 1 High Street Paisley B Private Fair Low AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning or development activity Retain as AT RISK 6 18, High Street Paisley B Private Fair Low REST. REST. Recent planning activity for internal alterations to groundfloor and shopfront. Retain as REST. 7 20, High Street Paisley B Private Fair Low AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning activity or evidence or development to upper floors. Retain as AT RISK 8 44 High Street Paisley N/A Private Fair Moderate AT RISK AT RISK Recent planning consent acquired for conversion to five flats. Retain as AT RISK. Change to REST on start of works 9 44 Causeyside Street Paisley N/A Private Fair Moderate REST. REST. Façade renovations completed in October 2023. Building warrant for interior fit out approved July 24. Retain as REST. Remove on completion of works 10 13 Moss Street Paisley Paisley N/A Private Fair Low AT RISK REST. Ground floor commercial completed, units occupied. Consents acquired for upper floor conversion to residential. Change to REST. 11 Kelvin House, 15-17 Marshall's Lane Paisley C RC Poor High AT RISK AT RISK Recently remarketed for sale. Retain as AT RISK 12 Paisley Coats Girls Club (Former), 27, Ferguslie Paisley B Private Poor Low REST. REST. Planning approved for residential conversion. Works started. Retain as REST. 13 Royal Alexandra Infirmary: Main Building, Calside Paisley B Private Poor High AT RISK AT RISK Recent planning and building warrant approved for partial demolition and conversion to residential. Retain as AT RISK. Change to REST. on start of works 14 Dykebar Hospital Superintendant's House (Former) Paisley B Private Ruinous Moderate AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning or development activity. Retain as AT RISK 15 Hawkhead House Farm Steading, Ben Alder Drive Paisley B Private Very poor High AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning or development activity. Retain as AT RISK 16 Hawkhead House Farmhouse, Ben Alder Drive Paisley C Private Poor Moderate AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning or development activity. Retain as AT RISK 17 Priory Park, 21 Main Road, Paisley Paisley N/A Private Fair Low AT RISK AT RISK Recently attained consents for conversion to form 17 flats with associated parking and landscaping Retain as AT RISK. Change to REST on start of works 18 Sanctuary House, 8, Stanely Road, Paisley Paisley B Private Poor Moderate AT RISK REST. Some works carried out to shore up the building. Change to REST. 19 Leethland House, Glenpatrick Road Elderslie N/A Private Ruinous High AT RISK AT RISK Recent consents attained for the demolition of Leethland House and replacement dwelling subject to conditions. Retain as AT RISK and remove following demolition. 20 Kilbarchan Old Parish Church, Church Street Kilbarchan B Private Fair Low AT RISK REST. Works underway including new window repairs, replacement and recent planning application for solar panels. Change to REST. 21 St Joseph's Missionary College (Former): Chapel, Kilbirnie Road Lochwinnoch C Private Poor Moderate AT RISK AT RISK Recent planning permission attained for conversion of the formal chapel to form 5 retirement flats (part of 30 on wider site). Retain as AT RISK. Change to REST on start of works 22 St Joseph‘s Missionary College (Former): Dormitory Building, Kilbirnie Road Lochwinnoch C Private Poor Moderate AT RISK AT RISK Planning and listed building was recently granted for the redevelopment of the site. If implemented, former dormitory building would be demolished to make way for a walled garden relating to the development of retirement flats on wider site. Retain as AT RISK. Remove following demolition. 23 Calderhaugh House Stables, Main Street Lochwinnoch B Private Fair Low AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning or development activity. Retain as AT RISK 24 K6 Telephone Call Box, Church Street Lochwinnoch B Private Poor High AT RISK REMOVE Risk of loss now low. Local update indicated now restored. Remove from BARR 25 Lochwinnoch Parish Church, Church Street Lochwinnoch A Private Fair Moderate AT RISK AT RISK Local community recently received two grants to assist with purchase, building restoration and conversion to community hub. Retain as AT RISK. Change to REST on start of works. 26 Renfrew Police Station (Former), Inchinnan Road, Renfrew B RC Fair Low AT RISK AT RISK Recent listed building consent approved for demolition of cells and clearance or dry rot Retain as AT RISK 27 Renfrew Equitable Cooperative Society, 24, High Street, Renfrew B Private Poor Low AT RISK AT RISK No recent planning or development activity. Retain as AT RISK Appendix A