PLANS to demolish an historic building in Stevenston have been halted after pressure from a community group and the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.

The campaign kicked off last month after owners Clowes Development (Scotland) Ltd lodged plans to demolish the B-listed building.

At the time of lodging the plans the company claimed “restoration would be unviable, given the extent of damage to the building’s internal fabric and envelope”.

But Friends of Stevenston mounted a campaign, calling on the Herald to help them save it from demolition.

They wanted to save the building which was originally built for the British Empire Exhibition in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow in 1938 before it was transported to Ardeer and rebuilt brick by brick at the ICI site where it was used as the staff kitchen and canteen.

So they set about carrying out a survey of residents to plead their case to Clowes.

And today, Clowes Development withdrew the plans for demolition.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Jack Dickson, a film maker who is currently working on a film, Shifting Sands, to preserve the Ardeer Dunes was over the moon and declared: “This is a major victory for the power of local people to effect change.”

But the group is not being complacent and want to make sure the building is safe for good.

Jean Frew, of Friend of Stevenston, added: “I will now be emailing my locally elected members to ensure that this building is protected going forward, it must not be left at this, action is still required to assure its survival.”