Company Defends Decision to Demolish Historic TA Halls Remains
The JR Group explains the need to demolish the TA Halls due to safety concerns
Paisley, Scotland, TA Halls, JR Group, Renfrewshire Council, Historic Buildings
Paisley: The TA Halls have been a part of the town’s history since 1897, but they’ve seen better days. After a fire five years ago, the building was left in ruins. The facade was still standing, and there were hopes to incorporate it into new plans.
But things took a turn when Renfrewshire Council issued a dangerous building notice. They said the owners had to either fix the scaffolding or take the building down. The JR Group, which owns the Halls, said demolishing the facade was the only safe option.
They explained that the scaffolding was sinking, which posed a risk to the public. It was pulling the building forward, making it unsafe. The JR Group emphasized that they had to act quickly to prevent any harm.
Renfrewshire Council had previously stated they had no choice but to issue the notice. They accused the JR Group of ignoring their requests to secure the building. The JR Group didn’t respond to that claim.
The TA Halls were designed by William Kerr and were a well-known landmark. They were empty since the Ministry of Defence left in 1996, and plans to convert them into student flats never materialized due to the fire.
When the JR Group applied to demolish the facade, a campaign to save the building sprang up. People signed petitions urging the council to reject the demolition. But after the scaffolding was taken down, it became clear the building was unsafe.
Duncan Macintosh, a retired conservation officer, expressed his disappointment. He felt there was sadness and anger in the community over the decision. He believed there were other options besides demolition and that the council should have done more to protect the building.