Plean House and Stables granted charity status – two buildings one ambitious plan.
A new charity has been established to rebuild and restore two derelict buildings back to their former glory and for community use within Plean Country Park.
Plean House and Stables was granted charitable status after submitting an application to the Office of the Scottish Charitable Regulator (OSCR). The charity plan to undertake the work as a community asset transfer and have been in discussions with the landowner Stirling Council.
Now the charity plan to move into their next phase of fundraising, undertaking feasibility studies and having the plans drawn up – before moving into the second phase of rebuilding.
Leading the project, Jackie Stewart said: “We have worked hard to get to this stage. A year ago the idea of restoring the buildings was just that – an idea. Since then we have carried out a community consultation, established a board of trustees, volunteers and supporters, had our logo designed through a competition with East Plean Primary School, a fundraising Christmas card designed and painted by one of our members and worked with Stirling Council to have the necessary permissions in place to run a monthly fundraising tea and coffee stall in the park. The support and interest from the immediate community and wider park community has been amazing and we are looking to build on that.
“Being granted charitable status means we can now move forward into our next phase and we are looking forward to being able to drive this forward.”
Plean house and stables were built in 1819 and have only been owned by two families in that time – the Simpsons and Thorneycrofts. Both buildings fell into ruin when the Thorneycroft family moved away in 1970. The National Coal Board then owned the house before it was transferred to Stirling Council. The house was damaged by fire in the 1970s and both it and the stables have been fenced off as dangerous buildings. The estate which went with the house and stables was transferred into Plean Country Park and is the only country park owned and operated by Stirling Council.
Jackie said: “Our plans would be to restore the buildings in two phases. The first would be to rebuild the stables which would house a community café, a living exhibition of the house and surrounding area as well as space which can be used and hired by the community and then turn our attention to the old house. We believe restoring the buildings will provide and improve recreational activities in the village and wider area as well as preserving two buildings which have architectural and historical importance.
“By restoring the buildings it will enhance the park and make it a centre where people can meet and socialise. We are looking forward to moving into the next stage of our project.”
Plean House and Stables granted charity status – two buildings one ambitious plan.
A new charity has been established to rebuild and restore two derelict buildings back to their former glory and for community use within Plean Country Park.
Plean House and Stables was granted charitable status after submitting an application to the Office of the Scottish Charitable Regulator (OSCR). The charity plan to undertake the work as a community asset transfer and have been in discussions with the landowner Stirling Council.
Now the charity plan to move into their next phase of fundraising, undertaking feasibility studies and having the plans drawn up – before moving into the second phase of rebuilding.
Leading the project, Jackie Stewart said: “We have worked hard to get to this stage. A year ago the idea of restoring the buildings was just that – an idea. Since then we have carried out a community consultation, established a board of trustees, volunteers and supporters, had our logo designed through a competition with East Plean Primary School, a fundraising Christmas card designed and painted by one of our members and worked with Stirling Council to have the necessary permissions in place to run a monthly fundraising tea and coffee stall in the park. The support and interest from the immediate community and wider park community has been amazing and we are looking to build on that.
“Being granted charitable status means we can now move forward into our next phase and we are looking forward to being able to drive this forward.”
Plean house and stables were built in 1819 and have only been owned by two families in that time – the Simpsons and Thorneycrofts. Both buildings fell into ruin when the Thorneycroft family moved away in 1970. The National Coal Board then owned the house before it was transferred to Stirling Council. The house was damaged by fire in the 1970s and both it and the stables have been fenced off as dangerous buildings. The estate which went with the house and stables was transferred into Plean Country Park and is the only country park owned and operated by Stirling Council.
Jackie said: “Our plans would be to restore the buildings in two phases. The first would be to rebuild the stables which would house a community café, a living exhibition of the house and surrounding area as well as space which can be used and hired by the community and then turn our attention to the old house. We believe restoring the buildings will provide and improve recreational activities in the village and wider area as well as preserving two buildings which have architectural and historical importance.
“By restoring the buildings it will enhance the park and make it a centre where people can meet and socialise. We are looking forward to moving into the next stage of our project.”
