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Public Meeting Held regarding Redundant BT Maritime Coastal Radio Station

At Stonehaven Community Centre on Monday 12th November 2007 a public meeting was held to discuss utilising the redundant radio station site for community purposes.  Alistair MacLean in centre with some of the crowd attending the public meeting The radio stationed was opened in 1956, extended in 1976 and closed in June 2000.  The building became a "listed building" in August 2004 and has subsequently lain dormant ever since.  Whilst remaining empty the building has suffered serious vandalism and is now boarded-up and protected by a steel fence erected in 2007.   The radio station owners, BT and Telereal, wish to sell the site which is located in a scenic area close to Dunnottar Castle.  At the public meeting a steering group was formed to undertake discussions with all parties, commission a feasibility study of community uses for the site and then advance the project if found sustainable.   Proposed uses for the buildings are a radio museum a youth hostel a base for MearnsFM - the new community radio station, a cafe / restaurant training area for Stonehaven pipe band a model railway room, storage space for the local drama group - Ury Players - who face closure due to lack of space a youth centre and a tourist visitor centre.  The intention is to apply for grant funding to enable a study by an architect led team of professionals to identify a sustainable future for the redundant building.   The meeting was attended by two Aberdeenshire Council elected members and a number of Stonehaven community councillors.  It was hoped that the building owners would support the local community efforts by agreeing to a reasonable fixed price for the site.  Repair and refurbishment costs have not yet been calculated but are expected to be very substantial.  A public subscription fund may be established when the options are considered.   A similar design radio station at Ilfracombe, North Devon, England was previously donated by BT to a local arts group and a fifty thousand pound grant from BT enabled modifications to be carried out.   People at the Stonehaven meeting expressed the view that additional community buildings were urgently required in Stonehaven and possibly a bus service to the radio station could be provided.  The steering group were keen to make progress on the community project and would meet soon with Aberdeenshire Council planners. For more Info Contact ALISTAIR MACLEAN Vist New website www.stonehavenradiostation.co.uk