The Ayr Station Hotel Community Action group believes the fire ravaged building can still be saved for the community.
Campaigner Esther Clark says a takeover by the Ayr Development Trust (ADT) could lead to funding to repair and upgrade the building.
It comes after SAVE Britain’s Heritage wrote to South Ayrshire Council (SAC) offering the services of an experienced conservation structural engineer to conduct a specialist survey of Ayr Station Hotel in order to assess the damage from the recent fire.
The Ayr Station Hotel is privately owned by reclusive Malaysian businessmen Mr Ung, who has a registered business address in London.
Last year, South Ayrshire Council took a decision to demolish the southern section of the building. However, funding to carry out the demolition is yet to be identified.
Given the current state of the building following the fire, demolition is expected to be agreed within days.
READ MORE: https://www.ayradvertiser.com/news/23831038.ayr-station-hotel-crews-extinguish-second-fire-building/
However, Ms Clark, who is also secretary of ADT, insists the historic building can and should be saved.
She said: "Legally, Ayr Development Trust is accredited under the Community Empowerment Act 2015 to apply to buy the Station Hotel from Mr Ung if he is a willing seller and states a price.
"ADT can apply to Compulsory Purchase the hotel if necessary. ADT can also apply to buy the parts of the station unused by Network Rail. I have obtained a letter from the Transport Minister to confirm."
She continued: "ADT can apply to the Scottish Land Fund for up to 95 per cent of the value of the hotel. There are plenty of trusts which would be interested in raising money for this.
"ADT could purchase the hotel more quickly if Mr Ung agreed and ADT could approach him.
"On the basis that maximum restoration were possible - and we need to see about that - it would open up avenues for building craft training as per National Trust and Dumfries House, hotel apprenticeships etc.
"ADT could purchase the buildings and pass care over to SAVE Britain’s Heritage, meantime until it completed Stage 1 using local firms. SAVE could raise the money with Ayr Development Trust and the Action Group etc, joining in the effort.
"This could be done with no involvement of South Ayrshire Council in the major risks as ADT would be owner. "
A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said this week: "Our Building Standards team have now assessed the drone footage of the former Ayr Station Hotel.
"The fire has extensively damaged the southern section of the building, as you can see in the video.
"Safety works on the clock tower will begin on Monday, October 9 to remove loose timbers and other charred debris.
"In addition to this, we are in the process of sourcing a specialist contractor who will begin work on the southern gable end of the building (closest to Station Bridge Road).
"The road will remain closed until further notice.
"Due to the dangerous condition of the building and the restricted accessibility, the extent of the work that needs to be carried out to make the building safe will not become clear until these works commence.
"We’ll continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available."
Keep checking the Advertiser Facebook page and website for the latest updates on the aftermath of the hotel fire.
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