NORTH Ayrshire Council has decided the best way to ensure the future of historic Kirktonhall in West Kilbride is to sell it on the open market.

The Kirktonhall Creative Media Group – allocated preferred bidder status for any future development of the building last year – has failed to secure external funding, according to the council..

As a consequence, NAC has withdrawn the preferred bidder status and decided to put the category B listed building on the open market.

Despite its listed status, Kirktonhall could still be developed by a new owner as long its character is preserved.

Any proposal to alter or extend Kirktonhall in a way that would affect the character must be granted listed building consent by North Ayrshire Council before it can proceed.

It would be up to NAC Planning to decide if the character is being affected.

KCMG had been applying for Lottery funding to purchase the building.

Jurie Duvenage from KCMG said the council’s decision was ‘premature’.

“Applications for funding are in and we are still waiting for decisions on them.

“I spoke on the phone with the Big Lottery and they said a decision would be made around the end of April, May time.

​“We are waiting for a response from them and from the Big Lottery, so this is all a bit premature.

“As far as we are concerned everything is still in process. It would be daft to withdraw at this stage.” Local Councillor Elizabeth McLardy has been calling for the building to be sold off for residential development.

She said: “I am delighted that the building will be sold as it is beginning to deteriorate so badly.

“What KCMG are proposing could be housed anywhere.

“I don’t understand why they think it has to be housed in a historic building.

“It could quite easily be housed in West Kilbride Community Centre.

Asked what she saw the future for Kirktonhall to be, Cllr Mclardy continued: “To be honest I don’t care what happens to it now as long as it is maintained as the iconic building it once was for the community.

“It was previously a residential property before it became council offices so I would be in favour of that.” A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council, said: “The Council’s Cabinet has agreed to withdraw Kirktonhall Creative Media Group’s preferred bidder status due to lack of confirmation of successful external funding agreements within the timescale proposed by previous Cabinet reports.

“The Council will continue to support the work of the Kirktonhall Media Group to progress its business objectives.

“Kirktonhall will now be offered for sale on the open market in an attempt to identify any opportunities which may preserve the building’s long term future. Any potential restrictions on the building’s use will be carefully considered as part of any application which may be received.”