Community group set to revitalise derelict school

A CRUMBLING former primary school in Langholm that has stood empty for more than a decade is set to be transformed into affordable homes and a vibrant community hub.

Langholm Old School is set to be revitalised after The Langholm Alliance secured ownership of the historic building this week for the nominal sum of just £1.

Dumfries and Galloway Council will hand over the keys in a community asset transfer (CAT) deal.

Alliance members intend on creating affordable and commercial housing units, a community meeting space and café, youth activity facilities, and outdoor spaces.

The project, which is estimated to cost around £5.5 million, has been backed by elected members and officials.

Annandale East and Eskdale Councillor Denis Male said: “This project is so vital to the community of Langholm because the one big problem we now have is we have no housing for anybody.

“Our young are having to leave and go and live outwith the area. Elderly are going to places like Annan and Gretna and elsewhere.

“This is a private project through the Langholm Alliance, but it is so vital that we get it over the line and we get it going.”

The Category B Listed building, which was built in 1854 and has been vacant since 2014, has appeared on the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey since 2022.

Despite being put on the open market at various asking prices — starting at £180,000 and dropping as low as £100,000 — no buyer was ever found.

The Langholm Alliance has worked extremely hard in formulating plans to develop the building for the benefit of the whole community.

Their business plan sets out an ambitious vision for the site and reads: “Langholm will be a thriving, resilient community with rich social connections where people of all ages can thrive and community wealth is created.”

As well as housing, the old dining hall at the rear of the site would be retained and converted into a community café and meeting space — the only café in Langholm open seven days a week — alongside counselling facilities, youth spaces and a community garden.

A social value assessment of this community asset transfer found a positive return on investment of £4.22 for every £1 of discount provided by the council.