CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a National Lottery grant that could help save a derelict seminary described as being of world significance.

CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a National Lottery grant that could help save a derelict seminary described as being of world significance.

They hope the £45,600 cash injection, reported in yesterday's Evening Times, will be the first step towards saving the "massively important" building.

St Peter's Seminary, near Cardross, Dunbartonshire, was built in 1966 to train priests, but it closed in 1980.

Vandals and the weather have taken their toll and the massive, concrete building is now derelict and unsafe.

The dramatic black marble high alter has been smashed and the seminary set on fire.

The building, which is still owned by the Catholic Church, is A Listed but was recently added to the 100 most endangered sites list in the World Monuments Fund.

In his book Being A Scot, actor Sir Sean Connery describes the monastery as the last masterpiece from the 20th century.

However, Sir Sean is one of a large number of individuals and organisations who believe St Peter's can and must be saved.

He said: "Even at this late hour this one last masterpiece from the late 20th century could yet be rejuvenated as it still lies among the ravishingly beautiful grounds of Kilmahew."

On Tuesday, the Scottish Arts Council's National Lottery Public Art Fund awarded NVA, a Glasgow based environment arts charity, £45,600 to draw up a plan to create "significant" temporary and permanent art works at the seminary and in surrounding Kilmahew Woodlands.

NVA has been working closely with property developer Urban Splash for the past year to explore a variety of ways of transforming the building and 120 acres of semi-ancient woodlands The grant has been widely welcomed by fans of the historic building, who hope it is the first step towards restoring it.

Douglas Philand, Argyll and Bute Council's spokesman for arts, culture, leisure and sport, said: "This is wonderful news.

"Urban Splash has built up a reputation of delivering highly innovative, attractive and exciting projects. Given the history and nature of St Peter's seminary - and its amazing grounds - then a plan of the kind being investigated would cement Argyll and Bute's place on the international map of must-see architectural and historical destinations."

One of the ideas being investigated by Urban Splash is the possibility of restoring the seminary as a hotel.

Detailed discussions have been held with local people to find out what they want for the area.

Catriona Macaulay, who lives in Cardross, said: "It will be an amazing place if we can have the woodlands back and restore the special atmosphere and unique qualities of the location."

Angus Farquhar, director of NVA, said: "The support from the Scottish Arts Council to create a strong commission plan is the best possible start to creating a world-class creative landscape within St Peter's and Kilmahew woodlands."

Patrick Sheridan, project director for Urban Splash, said: "The site has a remarkable history and we think it can have a bright and interesting future, while securing the future of one of Scotland's most important listed buildings."

Neil Baxter, secretary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, described St Peter's as a massively important building - probably the greatest Scottish building of the latter half of the 20th century.

He added: "The building is in a very ruinous condition and has been attacked by vandals - someone even took a sledge hammer to the black marble alter and is it now in two.

"It was the most magnificent building and had a really powerful religious atmosphere and was a place of worship, contemplation and quiet calm."

St Peter's may be regarded as an architectural gem, but it was a nightmare for the trainee priests who lived there.

Its first problem was it was built at the same time the Catholic Church was moving priests out of monasteries and into the community.

The roof leaked, the building was almost impossible to heat, and it was draughty and uncomfortable to live in.

The Catholic Church has been trying for 25 years to find a new owner and use for the building.

A spokesman for the Church said: "Over the years, we have been happy to work with developers who have come along with a plan but every single one has run into problems with getting permission because of where the building is and what they intend to do with it.

"Or they have run into funding difficulties because of the A-listing."

TIMES FILE

THE Glasgow-based environmental arts charity NVA was founded by Angus Farquhar in 1992.

Its vision is to transform natural landscapes and urban settings to change the way people see their environment.

The organisation has produced temporary and permanent artwork across Europe and is behind The Hidden Garden and Chimney at Glasgow's Tramway and lighting projects on the city's tidal weir, Glasgow College of Building and Printing and Merchant's House.

It was also responsible for the city council's 2005 Festival of Light which attracted more than 70,000 visitors over three nights in November.

Other projects include the Gateshead Festival of Light and the Chinese Spring Lantern Festival and Beltane Fire Festival, both in Edinburgh NVA is currently planning to relaunch a series of permanent landworks in Kilmartin Glen in Argyll.