Plans to put Houston Village Hall up for sale on the open market have been rubber-stamped by Renfrewshire Council.

The two-storey sandstone building, dating from the late 19th century, is currently unoccupied.

A report into its future was considered by councillors on the infrastructure, land and environment policy board.

They agreed to deem the Main Street building surplus to requirements and authorise Alasdair Morrison, the council’s head of economy and development, to advertise it for sale.

The property has a main hall on the upper floor and various smaller meeting rooms, as well as toilet and kitchen facilities. It also has a small extension.

It was tenanted by the Church of the Nazarene from June 2011 until April 2022 and sub-leased to a variety of community groups and organisations throughout that period.

Following the expiry of the head lease, the sub-tenants found alternative premises, leaving the hall unoccupied.

In 2010, a condition survey of the building found it needed around £180,000 of investment over a 20-year period to remain in a good condition and fit for occupation.

Council chiefs said the level of investment needed in the property made the prospect of a community asset transfer – where responsibility for the building would be switched from the local authority to a community group or voluntary organisation – a “difficult route” for eligible bodies.

While this was initially considered and rejected on cost grounds by one organisation, there were no other requests.

The report added that the council does not have dedicated funds available to invest in the long-term sustainability of the village hall and was not aware of any local group or organisation that does.

Officers believe this would best be achieved by selling on the open market with an approved development brief which identifies factors that need to be considered in preparing proposals for the site.