PLANS to transform Buckley's Old Baths into a community space have taken a "massive leap forward," it has been said.

In 2019 the Leader reported how Buckley councillors Carol Ellis, Mike Peers and Dennis Hutchinson shared their hopes of giving the town's Old Baths on Mold Road a new lease of life.

The councillors, who are also the three remaining trustees and directors of Old Buckley Baths Community Hall Ltd which owns the site, said they hoped to turn it into a multi-use community space.

Now, following a public consultation, Cllr Peers told the Leader the project has a viable business plan and is in a better position to secure funding to take the transformation forward.

A study by the project's consultants and architects has estimated a £1.1m cost for the scheme, with a number of aspirations for the building.

Those include a community and education hub, a central space for activities such as cinema and artisan markets, a new cafe, a performance space complimentary to venues like the Tivoli and flexible office space.

Cllr Peers said: "We now have a viable business plan and estimated costs.

"We are now looking at sources of funding and because all of this work has been done it is likely we will be considered for the relevant funding.

"The project was stagnant for some time - it was difficult with just three directors.

"But now we can see some movement forward.

"Although it's in a sorry state at the moment, we hope we can bring it all back.

"It's a very exciting project and it has taken a massive leap forward."

The study, commissioned by Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency, identifies the site as "a key project, pivotal to the regeneration and future prosperity of the town."

A report explains: "The baths remained a key part of the social fabric of Buckley until they were finally closed in 2005, following the opening of new swimming facilities at Buckley Sports Centre.

"Since then the Baths have lain dormant but have not been forgotten.

"Over the last decade and more there have been continued efforts to ensure that the Baths do not become a forgotten and neglected relic, but rather that the building is reused to support the regeneration and revitalisation of Buckley."

Speaking of the project's aspirations and the community's response to the consultation, Cllr Peers said: "The main objective is to bring the building back into community use for everyone's benefit.

"There won't be any one particular organisation running it - it has to be shared by as many organisations who want to use it.

"The business office element is to provide a source of income to help run the community hall.

"we feel we can help local businesses, who could hot desk or use it as a drop in office.

"With the consultation, I got a sense of support for the project.

"A lot of the feedback was from people who remember learning to swim as a child in Buckley Baths - even those who have since moved far away.

"We need to incorporate the historic element for the future generations in the town and are hoping to do this with exhibitions and photos in the fabric of the building."

The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.