OFFICE BID FOR FORMER RADIO SITE
THE former Stonehaven maritime radio station could be turned into offices, following an unsuccessful bid for community ownership .
Hywel Williams, from Cove, has lodged a planning application to convert the redundant station near Dunnottar Castle into office space.
The derelict building was frequently targeted by vandals since the station closed in 2000. It was sold on by British Telecom in July last year, despite a campaign to turn the building into a community facility.
Charity Stonehaven Maritime Radio Heritage Halls, formed as a building preservation trust with the intention to purchase the radio station site, refurbish the C-listed building and provide community facilities.
Possibilities included a radio museum, youth hostel, cafe, a base for Mearns FM and a youth centre.
Mr Williams' application states that he wants the former radio station to be used for "offices and light industrial work", and adds, "None of these processes would be injurious to amenity in a residential area."
It continues: "I intend to do nothing to the listed building other than repair and maintenance."
Alastair MacLean, who led the campaign to keep the station as a community facility, said he was disappointed people hadn't responded better to their calls for support.
He said: "It is unfortunate that people did not seem to want a community facility as the radio station is not far from the town and I think it would have been beneficial for Stonehaven."
Mr MacLean added: "Offices are probably quite a good use for the building, but there are not many details accompanying the application yet. I would want to know more about the plans, given that this is a listed building."
Stonehaven Radio Station, with its call sign GND, holds a unique position in maritime communications history – it was the last manned ship to shore radio station in the UK, ultimately providing cover and handling distress calls for the entire coastline.
When at noon on Friday June 30, 2000 the United Kingdom Coast Radio Station service closed down after over 100 years of aid to shipping, it was Stonehaven Radio that made the final announcement, bringing a proud, substantially unrecognised service to an end.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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