Bowling club in Gourock gets green light for new hall despite parking fears

AN INVERCLYDE bowling club is looking to the future after getting the go-ahead to build a new hall - despite concerns from council officials over parking.

Gourock Park Bowling Club asked Inverclyde Council's local review body to rule on its plans after officials from the authority failed to reach a decision within the standard two-month deadline.

Planners had recommended the club's application be refused because of a lack of parking provision and concerns over congestion that could be caused by more vehicles parking on the street.

The new facility will comprise a 95-square-metre multi-use area, kitchen, storage and changing facilities with accessible toilets adjacent to the Pavilion.

Ian Brown, secretary of the club, said: "It's smashing. Originally we were thinking of building up the way, but our clubhouse is 97 years old, and this was a cheaper option for us.

"It's ideal that it got passed.

"The new hall is really more about accessible toilet facilities. We also run boccia and sometimes we have people with special needs coming along who use wheelchairs.

"It is really to make the club wheelchair user friendly for members and visitors."

(Image: Archive) Mr Brown says it will also help to accommodate the activities the currently hold such as the Warm Hands of Friendship get togethers, bingo and it will also mean that they can use the club all year round and introduce carpet bowls.

He says it will be all systems go now that they have the green light from planners.

Mr Brown said: "We will be looking to get quotes for the work and we are looking for funding from Bowls Scotland and sportscotland."

The club is aiming to have the work done in plenty of time for its 100th anniversary in 2027.

Mr Brown said: "We hope to have it all in place by next year."

The club has remained popular with 84 members and has a small junior section, while it often has the Girl Guides and Scouts coming to the club.

Councillor Jim Clocherty's recommendation that the application be approved was unanimously backed by the review body's members.

Councillor Tommy McVey told the meeting the bowling club was 'long established and the current building was not fit for purpose".

Councillor Chris Curley said: "The previous application was refused because of the number of extra cars.

"I have no objection. People have not been able to park outside for generations.

"There is other parking close by and I don't think it should get in the way of the application."

(Image: Archive) Architect Bruce Newlands, in a letter to the council on behalf of the club, had stated: “This proposal is to improve and replace the existing facilities on site rather than expand them.

“The new hall proposal has been developed in response to greater demand from existing members for winter activities (the new hall is sized to enable indoor bowls) and to provide more accessible changing facilities with integrated toilets for privacy, a fully accessible toilet and kitchen servery for the main hall – all of which they lack in the existing building.

“The applicant does not anticipate an increase in membership due to the proposed hall; membership numbers are limited by the available bowling green space which remains unchanged.

“The club reports that they have never in 30-plus years received any complaints about parking in and around the club.

“Refusal will effectively condemn the club to remain in a sub-standard council-owned clubhouse that doesn’t meet accessibility standards, has poor privacy standards and does not enable members to continue bowling practice during the winter months, damaging the group’s long term financial sustainability.”