PLANS to develop a flagship health and wellbeing hub for armed forces veterans in Garelochhead have been welcomed by a local councillor and an MSP.

The proposals have been put forward by the Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust (KSRHT), in conjunction with the Garelochhead Station Trust, and will offer a range of information, support, learning and engagement opportunities to participants including veterans and those experiencing loneliness or recovering from adversity.

The project will target those who are isolated and marginalised in the areas around Garelochhead, and is supported by the Scottish Government’s Aspiring Communities Fund, which helps groups and organisations deliver local priorities in the most deprived and fragile communities.

Lomond North councillor George Freeman, who lives in the village, believes the benefits of the scheme would be huge.

He said: “The buildings at Garelochhead station have remained empty for many years and, along with many others living in the community, I have been keen to see them being brought back into use.

“Although I must reserve judgment on any planning application that may be required relating to the use of the station building, I would certainly be delighted to see the building being brought back into use.

“I certainly welcome the proposal to develop a health and wellbeing hub at Garelochhead which could provide much needed support for those suffering from loneliness or recovering from various forms of adversity.

“Given the large military presence in the area, I am delighted that such a facility will also provide such services for armed forces veterans who can often be overlooked.

“As our rural areas are often overlooked by the government and others when it comes to the provision of services, the provision of this proposed new service within our community should be welcomed by all concerned.”

Conservative West Scotland MSP Maurice Corry, who lives in nearby Helensburgh, added: “This is a fantastic project and I’m thrilled to see it progressing forward.

“Locally there is a strong armed forces community and Garelochhead is a great village for such a hub to be located.

“Health and wellbeing in today’s fast paced, high pressured world is extremely important, I support this project fully and hope it provides the facilities and support that many local workers need.”

The KSRHT was formed in 2014 to bring a number of redundant railway offices into community use.

The trust aims to support local communities around the country in rediscovering skills and interests and re-connecting with those around them.

The post of ‘project co-ordinator’ for the scheme was advertised in last week’s issue with a starting salary of £34,000.

The Advertiser recently reported that Garelochhead was one of 20 stations across Scotland with buildings identified by ScotRail for potential business partnerships.