CAMPAIGNERS have called for a conservation review into the future of the station hotel ahead of the final structural report.

The Save the Station Hotel (STSH) group want the heritage of the listed building to be considered before plans are drawn up on the future of the neglected site.

Sinclair Williamson, a former National Trust of Scotland employee who overseen conservation projects at Culzean Castle published a report on behalf of the group.

The detailed report outlines the need to keep a “magnificent centrepiece” in the town centre and suggestions to restore the hotel.

Sinclair said: “We can’t change the past. We need to move forward from where we are now, but we should be creative, and find good new uses for this amazing building at the heart of our community, which many visitors see as they first arrive at the town centre. Let’s not lose our finest pieces of history, but build them into the fabric of a new modern vibrant and functional town centre.”

He goes on recommend that the historic fabric of the building should be maintained and that the loss of any part of the “masterpiece” should be a “last resort”.

The initial structural report by South Ayrshire Council was published last month where it found that interior walls and ceilings had collapsed and there was evidence of vermin, amongst thousands of defects.

STSH told the Advertiser how they will continue to fight to restore the hotel.

Esther Clark of the group said: “The final report will add conclusions and costings but will not address the intrinsic and aesthetic value of the Hotel and integrated station for the town and citizens. A Conservation review is needed, that is if the neglect has not taken the hotel too far down the road to ruin.

A spokesperson for SAC said:“South Ayrshire Council have commissioned Mott MacDonald to produce an independent Structural Condition Report for the former Ayr Station Hotel. The report is intended to provide a conclusion on causation, rectification and the cost to restore the building back to compliance with baseline Building Standards. The full survey will be released in line with agreed timescales.”