Plans to sell a fire-damaged former children’s home in Renfrew to Renfrew Development Trust for £1 have been approved by councillors.
The decision does not complete the sale, which remains subject to further consultation and court approval.
Renfrewshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Sub-committee approved the proposed sale of the former Longcroft Children’s Home and the nearby Miracle Span Store on Wednesday 26th August 2026.
Renfrew Development Trust plans to restore the buildings and create an accessible community hub.
The former children’s home, also known as Longcroft Cottages, is beside Robertson Park and is accessed from Inchinnan Road.
It was declared surplus by the council in March 2020 and has remained empty since then. The building was badly damaged by fire in 2022.
The council estimated that repairing the fire damage alone would cost more than £200,000.
A full restoration for another use would cost more than £500,000. Demolishing the former children’s home would cost around £100,000.
The estimated demolition cost excludes the Admin Block and Store. It also excludes any later restoration or development of the land.
The Miracle Span Store is a corrugated steel building currently used to store parks equipment. The council said the equipment can be moved elsewhere and the building will not be required in the future.
Plans for the community hub include meeting rooms, workshop and craft space, small offices, a kitchenette, storage and accessible toilets.
A public toilet would also be available to people visiting Robertson Park while the building is open.
The hub would provide a base for Renfrew Development Trust, Renfrew Men’s Shed, Friends of Robertson Park, Friends of Clydeview Park and the trust’s craft group.
The Miracle Span Store would be converted into a workshop and storage area for the Men’s Shed and other activities.
Two public surveys attracted 165 responses. The trust said these showed support for restoring the buildings and providing affordable community space, public toilets and more opportunities for local activities.
One formal objection was received. Concerns included the loss of informal parking, noise, lighting and a possible increase in antisocial behaviour.
Councillor Ben Smith raised concerns about the proposed hub’s proximity to the William McMaster Centre, which is around 120 metres away.
He said: “I would be concerned about duplication of what goes on there with what goes on in the McMaster centre, and whether that could disadvantageously affect the footfall in the McMaster centre.”
A council property review found that the OneRen-operated William McMaster Centre had utilisation of between 10% and 15%.
Its annual operating costs were more than £68,000 in 2023, including £46,000 in staffing costs. The building also has repair liabilities of more than £500,000.
Renfrew Development Trust previously considered taking over the William McMaster Centre but decided it did not meet its requirements because of operational restrictions.
Councillor Iain Nicolson said the Longcroft proposal had several benefits, including plans to provide public toilets for park visitors.
He moved that the proposed sale should be approved rather than delayed for further investigation.
Councillor Smith said he did not want the development to affect existing services but was satisfied if cooperation was encouraged.
He said: “At the same time, I do not want to take anything away from existing services.
“However, as you said, if we are encouraging co-operation between the two organisations, I would be fairly comfortable with that.”
The proposed sale was approved without objection.
Both buildings form part of the Renfrew Common Good Fund. The council must carry out a further public consultation and obtain permission from the court before ownership can be transferred.