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Crumbling Laurencekirk drill hall ‘in extremely bad state’ could be turned into home

Aberdeen-based real estate firm Aitken Assets has lodged plans to renovate the former cadet centre and build an additional house next door.

The former Laurencekirk drill hall could become a family home. Image: Google Street View
The former Laurencekirk drill hall could become a family home. Image: Google Street View

Laurencekirk’s historic former Army Cadet drill hall could be transformed into a new home under new plans.

The High Street building was previously used by the Territorial Army and had been in use during World War One.

In 1914, it was the drill station for ‘C’ Squadron, Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and the base for the ‘D’ Company, 7th battalion Gordon Highlanders.

But now, Aberdeen-based real estate firm Aitken Assets has lodged plans to renovate the former cadet centre and build an additional house next door.

The extension seen here would be knocked down to make way for the proposed new home. Image: Fiddes Architects

The ground floor extension to the rear of the building, believed to be the former instructor accommodation, would be demolished to make way for the new home.

Laurencekirk drill hall ‘fallen into disrepair’

In planning documents, agents Fiddes Architects say a substantial amount of work would be needed on the site.

“All of the existing building elements are now in an extremely bad state of repair and would be considered derelict/redundant,” they stated.

“The drill hall, which dates back to the early 20th Century, is no longer suitable for habitation and has fallen into disrepair.”

The former Laurencekirk drill hall is in need of extensive work. Image: Google Street View

Architects also revealed the first floor of the building has collapsed, while many of the internal walls have been stripped back to their stonework.

Finally, all of the former hall’s windows will need replaced.

Many of them have been broken and are currently boarded up.

What would the homes look like?

The new home has been created using the footprint of the neighbouring drill hall.

Architects hope the proposal will allow the new home to “coexist harmoniously” with the historic building nearby.

Both “generously sized” properties will have three-bedrooms with an open plan kitchen and dining area.

This image shows the former drill hall (right) and where the new house would sit. Image: Fiddes Architects

Drill hall sold at auction

The site went under the hammer last April, but Aitken Assets went on to buy the site from the winning bidders.

Auctioneers Lambert Smith Hampton said the historic building was “generally in poor condition and in need of repair”.

Could a family soon call the former Army Cadet hall home?. Image: Fiddes Architects

They also noted that the first floor was “inaccessible” as the staircase had been removed.

However, they believed the building had plenty of potential and conversion would help bring the site back to life.

You can view the plans here.


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