Bethany Hall, in Prestwick’s Shaw Road, is to be demolished and replaced, under new proposals.
A planning application has been submitted to South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for the works to be carried out at the long-established place of worship.
Agents in the proposals are Annbank-based Stairhill Architecture Ltd and the applicant is Mr N Jenkinson, of Monkton.
In their supporting statement Stairhill Architecture Ltd explained the reasons behind the proposed demolition of the building and said: “The current hall has reached an age where it requires extensive modernisation and maintenance to operate at its full potential. Preliminary reports have been carried out to analyse the options for renovation or replacement. It concluded that the replacement of the existing hall with a modern purpose-built hall is the most cost effective solution in the long term.
“The existing Bethany Hall is outdated, requires significant maintenance, and no longer meets the needs of the church, or the wider community.
“The proposed replacement hall will replace the ageing facility with a more flexible, sustainable, and accessible building to meet the needs of both the church and the wider community.
“The current hall’s design is limited, restricting the range of activities that can be supported. The new build will provide greater flexibility and adaptability.
A new replacement facility will ensure the hall continues to serve for decades to come with reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs.
“It is proposed to demolish the current Bethany Hall, constructed in 1959, and erect a new modern facility on the same site.”
Bethany Hall has been a place of Christian worship and outreach for 95 years, originally established in 1929.
Over the decades, it has served the local community, with the current hall being built in 1959 to accommodate a growing congregation.
The church provides a variety of services including: Remembrance Services, bible teaching, Gospel meetings and Sunday School.
The hall is also used as a base for the likes of Toddlers’ Group, coffee mornings, children’s holiday club, Bible exhibitions and girls’ crafts club activities.
But a new building would “enhance” the church’s existing programmes and “introduce new initiatives” that serve the community “in a broader way,” say the agents.
Their supporting statement adds: “This application seeks approval for the construction of a new Bethany Hall, which will continue its 95-year legacy of Christian outreach and community service. The new building will be modern, flexible, and environmentally sustainable, ensuring it remains a key resource for the community.”
The proposals are listed as ‘pending consideration’ on South Ayrshire Council’s online planning portal and a decision on them is expected in December.
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