COUNCILLORS are set to make a final call on plans to knock down a crumbling Lochwinnoch building and replace it with a new care home.

Proposals have been lodged to bulldoze the former dormitory within the old St Joseph’s Missionary College site, in Corsefield Road, which has been deemed a “danger to children.”

The C-listed structure, which was a nursing home until its closure in 2005, dates back to 1936 but is now in an extremely poor condition due to neglect, vandalism and weathering.

Structural surveys have concluded repairs are not viable, so Graiseley Investments Ltd has put forward plans to tear it down in the hope of putting a new 40-bed care home in its place.

The application was put before Renfrewshire Council's planning board in October but members agreed to carry out a site visit before making a decision.

This was carried out earlier this month, with the board meeting again tomorrow to give a final verdict.

Planning bosses have recommended approval but also laid out a condition that no demolition work will go ahead until signed and binding contracts are in place to secure the immediate redevelopment of the site.

A second condition also states the building must not be torn down until it has been demonstrated that architectural features worthy of salvage have been identified, so these can be saved while the demolition work takes place.

Graiseley Investments Ltd has discussed developing a new care home with the council which could rescue other structures on the site, such as the chapel building, but no formal application has yet been submitted for this.

A representation in support of the demolition has been put forward and described the former dormitory as a danger to kids, with Forest View Primary School located nearby.