Gartcosh Development Trust (GDT) is seeking funding to carry out a comprehensive feasibility study and develop a robust business plan to support a strong Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application for the Community Hall and Gartcosh Primary School, both scheduled to close in 2026.

These historic buildings are valuable heritage assets and represent a unique opportunity to create vibrant, community-led facilities that serve local needs across generations. Funding will enable GDT to undertake essential professional assessments and financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability and viability.

Gartcosh Development Trust (GDT) must demonstrate a local contribution. Our funders require the community to raise a percentage of the total project cost to show local commitment, ownership and support. By raising these funds locally, we strengthen our application and increase the likelihood of successfully securing the remaining funding needed.

A successful feasibility study and business plan will place the Trust in the strongest possible position to secure community ownership and safeguard these buildings for future use. This investment is the first step toward delivering inclusive, accessible spaces that promote wellbeing, social connection, and village pride for all.

Strong Community Mandate for Asset Transfer

Recent community engagement conducted by GDT demonstrates overwhelming support for this initiative. A comprehensive survey of 180 residents revealed that 93% are likely to use the new community space once developed, with 63.5% saying they are "very likely" to use it. Crucially, 72.1% of respondents consider community ownership "very important," with an additional 14.5% rating it as "somewhat important," providing a clear mandate for the Community Asset Transfer.

Clear Community Priorities Identified

The survey revealed consistent priorities across the village. Residents identified the most pressing needs as activities for children (73%), young people (73%), and families (70%), alongside wellbeing services (70%) and a community café (73%). The lack of these facilities was cited as the primary barrier to community participation, with 71% of residents pointing to insufficient activities and 65% highlighting poor information about what's available. The demand for health services is particularly notable, with 86% rating health and wellbeing services—including GP services, optician, rehabilitation, and pop-up clinics—as important or very important.

Vision for an All-Ages, Accessible Hub

The engagement results paint a clear picture of what Gartcosh needs: an all-ages, health-and-family-centered facility with strong programming and robust information systems. Top facility requirements include dedicated spaces for children and young people (72%), easy access to activity information (66%), a fitness suite (52%), Wi-Fi (51%), and kitchen facilities (47%). Residents emphasized the importance of weekend (74%) and evening (73%) opening hours to ensure accessibility for working families. The community also values sustainability, rating its importance at 3.98 out of 5, with 68% giving it high priority ratings.

Addressing Critical Service Gaps

The survey highlighted significant gaps in local provision that the asset transfer could address. Gartcosh currently has no GP surgery, dentist, or health-based services—a critical concern for a growing Community Growth Area. There's no everyday café or social space, limited indoor community facilities with very restricted access (no weekend availability), and a lack of safe, dedicated spaces for children and young people.

Without community intervention, the scheduled closure of both buildings in 2026 would result in the permanent loss of these valuable community assets, further isolating residents in a village where amenities have actually decreased despite significant housing development.