Kelburne Hockey Club’s bid to take over the running of Ralston Community Sports Centre has been turned down by Renfrewshire Council for a second time.

The club launched an appeal after its application for a community asset transfer (CAT) of the facility from OneRen was refused last August on the grounds of “uncertainty of funding” to carry out planned works and “significant” opposition to the plan.

But councillors made a unanimous ruling to uphold the original decision at a crunch meeting on Wednesday afternoon – citing similar concerns which focused on community buy-in and costings associated with ambitious pitch plans.

Kelburne sought £300,000 in council funding as part of its proposals, which was a sticking point for elected members who were unconvinced the cash could be found during a brutal economic environment for local authorities.

However, the thinking behind the club’s project was commended as the decision was revealed at Wednesday’s CAT review sub-committee.

Councillor Michelle Campbell said: “The motion I’m putting forward for the sub-committee is to confirm that the original decision to refuse the asset transfer should be the option that we go for here.”

She added that she believed the application was “full of drive and positivity” but she had concerns about its “deliverability.”

“The community buy-in, I feel, isn’t there,” Councillor Campbell said. “And the costing in particular is of real significant concern to me.”

Councillor John McNaughtan said that, for him, it was a “finely balanced” decision, describing some of the proposals as “excellent.”

However, he agreed it should be turned down because of local opposition and “uncertainty” surrounding finance.

After the meeting, Billy Anderson, secretary of Kelburne Hockey Club, described the council's decision as “a huge disappointment."

“Our proposal for a larger community-based sports centre, including hockey and health and wellbeing, at Ralston is one that would stand the test of time, instead of the current lack of attendance and provision at the centre," he said.

“We have a board meeting next week and will consider the ramifications of this decision and whether or not we take the next procedural step of appealing to Scottish ministers.

“Renfrewshire Council are aware of the alternative proposals we delivered for hockey to be managed within the OneRen estate and this, coupled with the CAT decision, is intrinsically linked with the next steps we will discuss in our board meeting.

“The fact that a community-based grassroots hockey club, and the most successful club in Scottish hockey records, cannot be served by suitable facilities in our own county is unthinkable.”

However, Ralston Community Council chairman Allan Thompson said the decision of the committee was the “correct thing to do.”

He added: “The community’s stance hasn’t changed from the very beginning of the situation up until now.

“Nobody’s changed their mind. Kelburne haven’t done anything to convince us of their intentions.

“I’m not surprised. I’m pleased because, even though it’s gone the way I think it should have gone, there’s no certainty about these things.

“I think common sense has prevailed.”