The Kintyre Forum

Interesting questionnaire and pictures of the old courthouse, what do you think should happen to it?

http://www.sbpt.org.uk/current-projects ... ltown.html

It'd make a great venue for hosting lively debate about why the townspeople don't seem to benefit much from funding

(especially when it comes to decent all-weather sporting facilities)

I'm of the opinion that there may be better ways to spend money, knock it down

westport321 wrote:I'm of the opinion that there may be better ways to spend money, knock it down

I don't agree.

Old buildings give us a sense of continuity with the past, and help to develop an emotional attachment to the town. We should be retaining a stock of buildings that create a special sense of identity that give a soul to the town and make it different from all others. So conservation should be integral to any urban planning carried out in Campbeltown. The courthouse is important for its social and historical significance and should not be lost.

Personally, I don't mind what its used for, but it certainly shouldn't be knocked down.

Agree with that Malky

Malky wrote:

westport321 wrote:I'm of the opinion that there may be better ways to spend money, knock it down

I don't agree.

Old buildings give us a sense of continuity with the past, and help to develop an emotional attachment to the town. We should be retaining a stock of buildings that create a special sense of identity that give a soul to the town and make it different from all others. So conservation should be integral to any urban planning carried out in Campbeltown. The courthouse is important for its social and historical significance and should not be lost.

Personally, I don't mind what its used for, but it certainly shouldn't be knocked down.

But don't we have enough old buildings in the town?

Malky,

I certainly wouldn't argue the point that the past is important. However, the present and the future are also important.
There is already a heritage centre. There are already other "here's an old building/or cold war airbase requiring funding and a proposed use" ideas flying around the forum & competing for, presumably, a limited amount of funding.

It's at times like this that it becomes apparent how much money has been diverted into ferry projects and the like, and what the townspeople/the common good have lost out on because of this.

In an ideal world, it would be great to have all these things and more. This isn't an ideal world & these, so we keep being reminded, are hard times.

I don't want to keep banging on about all weather pitches ... but our footballers and atheletes are still training and playing in conditions that are a throwback to when this old court house was a court house. This wouldn't be such a gripe if our neighbours and most comparable size towns didnt already have these facilities.

Isn't it about time available funding is used to benefit the general public & not special interests ?

Is there a pressing need to renovate this building at present ?

And I'll just add ... where was this heritage/restoration bandwagon when iconic buildings like The Templars Hall or Lochend Church were demolished ?

It obviously depends how much it would cost and where funding could be obtained, but would it not be possible to create something along the lines of Inveraray Jail? Other towns promote their history and heritage in this way, and I believe there is now an increasing market for heritage and historical tourism. This building has been an eyesore for many years because of its condition, and it is at least worth a look at the feasibility of turning it into an asset to the town.

EMDEE wrote:It obviously depends how much it would cost and where funding could be obtained, but would it not be possible to create something along the lines of Inveraray Jail? Other towns promote their history and heritage in this way, and I believe there is now an increasing market for heritage and historical tourism. This building has been an eyesore for many years because of its condition, and it is at least worth a look at the feasibility of turning it into an asset to the town.

Perhaps that should be the use of the old Police Station EMDEE? If not that will be another old building that will go to ruin. There must be similar subjects throughout Argyll (in general) does anyone know what has happened to them and the success stories? Any in Oban EMDEE?

I think it is a right shame that something so unique should be in such disrepair. I, for one reason, have gone up and down Boglam Street often and never even knew the building had an inkling of history to it. For some reason I thought it was old flats or some such thing, or the old sailor's doss house (scuse the term).

I think that, if it is not too far gone, it should be brought back to its former glory and restored and maybe used as a courthouse or the registrar's office or some such other similar function. I think it would be a lovely historical place for some folk to get married, if they are not in the religious persuasion, or it could be a great place to keep old historic records that some visitors to the town like to peer through for their ancestors.

Just a thought!

How about knocking the building down and retain some sort of features and history of the building and turn it in to an open space for people to sit etc. Gallery 10 has access to this area, Springbank could too. Why not make it a feature of the town and call it the Court Yard? While we don't obviously get great weather we are calling out for somewhere where people can sit in the better weather and enjoy a coffee etc. While I think it is important to retain our history we are real danger of having far too many old buildings which don't meet the needs of the community. I'm sure the money could be spent better on existing buildings (Picture House?) or the ones right on our main streets.

Ship, I think that is an absolute fantastic idea. Take off the roof, keep the stairs and the courtyard and allow access from surrounding business! How cool would that be????? Great idea!

How cool would that be?????

About -4 much of the past month. And pretty wet much of the rest of the year.

What about a glass roof over the area. The building can be used for lots of different things (offices, gallery etc) and you can still have an 'outdoor' area, even grow trees

sooze

Dear All,

Thank you for your comments and some good ideas certainly, which will all be reflected in the final Options Appraisal report for the Old Courthouse. The Appraisal is going well and we are looking at some good potential options I think. If you would like to know more, do come along to the THI Launch in the Town Hall on Thursday 21 Jan from 17.00 to 20.00 and see our stand. I will be there to update people on this project and progress with the project to convert the Old School in Big Kiln Street to a bunk house. This event is being organised by James Lafferty the CARS &THI Project Officer for Argyll & Bute Council and will give you a good insight into the the regeneration efforts for the town and how the THI can and will build on the progress made so far. We hope to complete the Old Courthouse Appraisal by mid to late February and will post the report on our web-site. I will let you know when it is there. http://www.sbpt.org.uk.

Sarah MacKinnon, Chief Executive, Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust