THE demolition of a Peebles building forms part of a ‘clear vision’ revealed for a town centre site.

Flattening School Brae Hub would make way for a “landmark community-owned building” under the plans released by Peebles Community Trust (PCT).

It bought the former ex-servicemen’s club back in 2019 but has faced a never-ending list of expensive repairs.

The trust is now proposing to move forward with demolishing the hub and replacing it with a smaller-scale building.

It would be capable of homing Peebles Men’s Shed, the town’s pipe band and commercial units.

PCT chair Michael Ireland said: “We could have easily recommended a building offering commercial space only, generating rental income for the trust, but we feel we can develop a building which offers space for the men’s shed and pipe band, with long-term viability built into it by way of some commercial units.

“The option to demolish the existing building also gives us the opportunity to create a landmark community-owned building in the heart of the town. It’s a really exciting prospect.”

He added: “It’s great to be able to finally share our thoughts on the way forward with our PCT members and the Peebles public. The board have been discussing this and working on it for many months, and it’s a bit of a weight off our shoulders now it’s out there.

“My hope is that our PCT members and Peebles public will get behind our recommendations.”

The PCT announced last week that it had been given an estimated refurbishment cost of £1.8m for the current School Brae Hub.

The board of directors outlined the options review report to its members at its AGM on Saturday (April 27).

It outlined 18 possible solutions explored before arriving at the recommended option – ranging from doing nothing to a full rebuild using the whole of the existing site.

The smaller scale of the building means it is unlikely to allow sufficient space for the Re-Use Hub, according to the report.

Members were warned that the process would not be straightforward and would likely take five years from concept to completion.

The trust would need to attract significant funding and bring in external expertise to oversee the project.

Mr Ireland said: “The project would not succeed if people just sat back and expected the current board to do everything – the task is just too great.”

The PCT said it would commit resources to maintaining the existing building to allow the current uses, with the Re-Use Hub remaining open as normal.

The board said it hoped to be in a position to confirm a definitive preferred option with PCT members’ backing by early summer.

The full report and architect visualisations for a selection of the options are available online at www.peeblescommunity.org, where feedback can also be left.