Fresh fears have emerged over the long-term future of a historic Angus mausoleum described as the finest of its kind in the country.
The A-listed mortuary chapel in the heart of the Western Cemetery in Arbroath has been on a register of at-risk buildings for more than five years.
The elaborate 138-year-old sandstone structure was a gift to Arbroath Town Council, but responsibility for its maintenance rests with Patrick-Allan Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust.
The trust has now revealed a £10 million vision to transform Hospitalfield House on the east of the town into a major 21st Century cultural destination.
Angus councillors have welcomed the ambitious plan but concerns have been raised over the absence of specific proposals for the mortuary chapel’s future protection.
It has also emerged the complex arrangement over ownership and maintenance may prove a barrier to easily accessing vital funding.
Angus strategic policy committee members have given the go-ahead for the council’s chief executive to begin talks with the trust over the possible scope of local authority support for a plan stretching towards the opening of a “new” Hospitalfield in late 2017.
Proposals include the refurbishment of existing accommodation and studios, as well as the creation of a new facility which will include an archive and exhibition space.
The trust has been working with the globally recognised Caruso St John architectural practice in the development of the concept so far.
A Creative Scotland first-stage capital funding application has already been completed and the Hospitalfield trustees are now also progressing a Heritage Lottery Bid. They intend to launch a private fundraising campaign in the middle or latter part of next year, with a scheduled start on-site at the beginning of 2016 once Hospitalfield’s valuable collections have been moved into safe storage.
Arbroath councillor Bob Spink said the glaring omission from the multi-million-pound proposal was the absence of reference to the mortuary chapel.
Mr Spink said: “I absolutely support the trust and their plans, but ambitious as they are there is no mention of their greatest asset, the mortuary chapel.
“This is an A-listed building reported to be the finest of its kind and yet it rots away as we speak. These are grand plans and I welcome them, but where does the mortuary chapel fit into them?”
Hospitalfield director Lucy Byatt said talks are due to take place soon with council chief executive Richard Stiff, at which she anticipates comments from councillors on the future vision proposals will be fully aired.
She said: “As Angus Council owns both the chapel and the Western Cemetery land, any fundraising campaign established for the conservation of this wonderful little building would require a strong partnership with the council.”
Photo by www.anguspictures.com