Green Light Given For Scout Community Hub Plans

How the proposed development will look. Image: Rebecchi Architectural

A Greenock Scout group’s proposals for changes at its base have been approved.

The 32nd Greenock and District Group has been awarded £515,000 from the Scottish Government to carry out major improvements to its premises in Bank Street, Greenock, turning it into a community hub.

Councillors on Inverclyde Planning Board today gave permission for the group to build a two-storey garage extension behind the building that will be big enough to house minibuses, after an application was lodged by Rebecchi Architectural.

Other work includes installation of replacement windows, doors, cladding and roof tiles, and formation of a new entrance area.

Eight objections were received raising concerns over scale, height and materials of the garage; noise and disturbance; and impacts on daylight, sunlight, views, wildlife and parking. Planning officials had recommended that permission be given. 

Their report stated: “The concerns raised in the objections over the industrial design and aesthetic of the garage are noted. To address these concerns, the applicant has submitted updated drawings changing the wall finishes for the garage from cream profiled metal cladding to cream render.

“The use of metal sheeting for the roof will be somewhat industrial in nature, however, this allows for a shallower roof pitch to be provided, reducing the building’s scale. The position and limited extent of this material reflects similar non-residential buildings in the area, including the metal sheeting used on the upper sections of the social club located across Bank Street from the site. The exact finish of the roof material can be secured by condition to minimise visual impacts on the residential area.”

They added: “The proposal is for alterations to and the extension of an existing building and allows for the continued use of the site as a place for children and young people to socialise and develop skills and lifelong connections.

“Whilst the concerns raised in the objections are noted, the proposal is considered to be beneficial to the local community, and the positive benefits of the proposal can be considered to outweigh the concerns raised.”

The property was formerly a residential care building but was taken over by the Scouts through a community asset transfer agreement in 2020 which saw the site of their former Mearns Street headquarters transferred to Inverclyde Council.

Bowman Rebecchi is a proud supporter of 32nd Greenock and District Scouts.