Bridgend Farmhouse Meeting 17-08-2010

Present: Will, Anna, Chris, John, Douglas and Georgia

Update on current status of the farmhouse

 Farmhouse was recently surveyed and is thought to be in good enough condition for
renovation rather than re-build to remain an option. Renovation is the preferred option by
most people involved as it will retain the original character and style of building.
 Rough estimates have been obtained on costs for both renovation and rebuild.
 Around £350 000 for a renovation and £500 000 to knock the building down and
rebuild (all inclusive architects, labour, building materials etc...)
 An extra £35 000 to add a commercial style kitchen
 To develop the outhouse would add further significant cost and not thought to be an option
at the current time. The buildings at the front of the farmhouse cannot be touched due to a
planning application regarding Tram Line 3.
 Several agencies have offered help with different stages of the planning and rebuild process
 Planning aid – help with planning applications
 Glasshouse design – help with design and architectural plans
 Development Trust Association Scotland – help with finding applications
 Firstport – help with developing a business plan
 Concern expressed that if no action is taken to at least fix the hole in the roof of the
farmhouse its condition may rapidly deteriorate especially over the coming winter months.
Looking to put pressure on the council to make the building watertight.

Possible funding options

 Discussions suggested the most appropriate way to proceed would be to apply for two
separate grants investing in ideas and the growing community assets fund. The first to help
gain the momentum and support with which to apply for the latter.
 Investing in Ideas - £100 - £10 000 available
Could be used to help spread the word about the project and start the process of
community engagement necessary to apply for the second grant. Necessary
requirements for application are a constitution and minimum 3 members.
 Growing community assets - £100 - £1 000 000 available
Available to help in the purchase of buildings valuable to a community
Must have 100 + members of the community in support of application, remains a
little unclear as to what their definition of community is...
Project must be community led and directed
Must provide evidence of ability to maintain the building once it has been purchased
and renovated as no further money available. I. E must have a solid business plan
Vision for Bridgend

 Discussions continued from previous meeting as to what should be the vision for and
function of the farmhouse. It was thought that we should be careful to work towards
providing a facility that is not already being catered for in the area by other community
centres such as The Inch Community Centre.
 Idea that plans should have an environmental focus – using the building as an environmental
resource and training centre. One which could provide a permanent base for some
organisations as well as the possibility of doing outreach work with different groups of
people within the community, e.g. disabled groups, young offenders, learning difficulties,
young people. Will to write up this vision in words and circulate for agreement.
 Possible groups that may be interested in using such a space:
 EcoSchools
 Forest Schools
 The Woodcraft Folk – looking for a base to develop their alternative energy
Cdemonstrations
 Fourwinds
 Forestry Commission
 Ranger Service
 Enable

Actions to move forward

 Everyone to research into local groups that might be interested in using the bridgend
farmhouse space and why and how they may wish to use it
 Will to contact local councillors to ask if they can request for the building to be made water
tight to prevent further damage while we are gathering momentum and resources to
proceed
 Will to provide a crystallised version of the vision we discussed for the farmhouse
 Everyone to think about possible one off events we might be able to run in the near future
to draw attention to and build interest in the farmhouse and the possibilities it offers.

Next Meeting at The Inch Community Centre on Monday 27 th September at 6.30pm