As it stands today we have already got initial planning permission. You will see the drawing below. ​​We had submitted an application to the Communities Ownership Fund for funding , but as it is a UK Government fund, as soon as the general election was called, the fund closed down, and a date for it re-opening has yet to be announced by the new government - if it will indeed re-open.​The inordinate delay since we first broached this project in about 2019, was primarily caused by COVID. Every funder in the country redirected all their charitable funds to pandemic projects. That continued until about early to mid 2023. Add to that the planning department of the council was closed down, and planning personnel worked form home, there was delays there in achieving planning permission.​​In March 2025, PIRSAC received a grant of £29,200 from the South of Scotland Enterprise to kick start the design phase of the project. Consultants were identified and engaged to carry out the preliminary work which was concluded by 31 March 2025. Funding has been been sought to complete the design phase and prepare a detailed budget in order that capital funding can be sourced to complete the project.An update on the Communities Ownership Fund - the new Labour Government has decided to close that fund for good but have as yet to state what, if anything, will replace it. We have expressed interest with the Scottish Land Fund and have requested from The BIG Lottery any suggestions going forward for any of their funds which would suit our purpose. The design team have been temporarily stood down until the funding to complete that stage can be found.