House Plan For Former Gourock Hall Approved

A revised bid to transform an old church hall in Gourock into a house has been given the go-ahead.

Rebecchi Architectural had submitted a planning application to refurbish and convert the former St Bartholomew’s Church hall in Binnie Lane in July 2021, before an amendment was submitted in February 2022, which has now been approved by Inverclyde Council officials.

As well as three bedrooms, the property will have an open plan lounge/kitchen/dining room, a gym and a games room with a bar over two levels.

A report by planners states: “The site and building massing are long-established features...the resultant urban form will be visually appropriate within the site’s existing context.

“The development is considered to contribute positively to the overall amenity of the area by making use of and adapting an existing building which presently detracts.”

Former owners, St Bartholomew’s Scottish Episcopal Church remains a place of worship to this day at nearby Barrhill Road in Gourock, some 165 years after its consecration.