A plan to redevelop key public buildings in Kirkcudbright has been unveiled.

According to the BBC, the blueprint includes a proposal to transform the town hall.

The scheme emerged following a local survey to determine the future of the town's publicly owned buildings and is being run by the Kirkcudbright Community Trust.

As a result, a charter was developed to help identify which properties should be retained and how they could ultimately be used.

The Trust has now published its business case which reveals the design proposals and cost estimates for three of the public buildings in the "artist's town" of Kirkcudbright.

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The former Johnston Primary School is the first building and could receive a £1.9m refurbishment to accommodate a range of services, including a doctors' surgery, a library and a drop-in centre.

It would also house council customer services.

Kirkcudbright town hall is also included in the redevelopment plans and the business case supports its transformation into a gallery of national significance. The estimated cost of redeveloping the building would be around £1.5m.

The third property is Kirkcudbright Parish Church which is earmarked to be a multi-purpose community hub. It would known as St Cuthbert's Centre, and would still be used by the current church congregation, in addition to facilities for the wider public. This includes a café, meeting and function areas, as well as a stage area for music, drama and sporting events.

It is understood the capital costs of the three redevelopment projects would be offset by receipts from the planned sale of the former St Cuthbert's school, the library rooms in the sheriff court house and the old bank building in Daar Road.

The business case is due to be presented to the council's Stewartry area committee next week.

(JP/CD)