THE future of a multi-million pound project to regenerate the former St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross has been thrown into doubt, according to national media reports.

Seven members of staff at creative arts charity NVA, which is leading the restoration initiative, are understood to have been told their jobs will go in the next few weeks because of cash problems.

The scheme was awarded a grant of £4.3 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund last year and has also received financial support from Creative Scotland

Our sister paper, The Herald, reported last week that a financial crisis had enveloped the NVA project, which aims to partially restore the seminary’s chapel as an indoor events space.

NVA – which has declined to be drawn on the project’s financial situation, or the potential for job losses – opened up the seminary to the public as part of the Doors Open Days festival in September, with all tickets for guided tours of the site snapped up in less than an hour.

The derelict buildings also hosted Hinterland last year – a stunning light and sound show which launched Scotland’s Year of Architecture and Design and attracted hundreds of visitors from all over Scotland and beyond

The village’s MSP, Jackie Baillie said: “This is a project of key local and national importance. The recent reports suggesting funding difficulties are concerning and I hope that the Scottish Government will stand ready to work with NVA to resolve any problems as soon as possible.”

Local councillor Richard Trail, whose Helensburgh and Lomond South ward includes Cardross, said: “The NVA have been doing a great job in bringing the seminary to the attention of the world with their Hinterland event.

“They have worked hard to attract funds to clean up the building, clear overgrown vegetation and partially restore it as an event space.

“It would be a terrible blow if the rug is pulled from under their feet now with the job half done.

“I remain hopeful that a solution to the short term funding difficulties will be found.

“Their plan is a long term project to reopen a landmark structure which will draw visitors from across the world to Cardross.”

A spokeswoman for NVA remained tight-lipped about the situation.

She said: “The directors and the board of NVA are in constructive discussion with funders and partners about the St Peter’s project and NVA’s future role.

“It would not be helpful for staff or any of the parties concerned to say anything more at this stage.”

Lucy Casot, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “We can confirm that the Heritage Lottery Fund approved funding of £4.3million for St Peter’s Seminary.

“We will continue to work closely with the NVA as they take forward their plans for the project.”

Built as a college to train Roman Catholic priests in the 1960s, the seminary was only used for that purpose for 14 years as the number of men seeking to enter the priesthood dwindled and the cost of maintaining the A-listed building rose steeply.

It was later used as a drug rehabilitation centre for four years in the 1980s, but was later abandoned and fell into disrepair.

NVA’s published plans for the renewal of the property include partial restoration of the building and its surrounding landscape.