THE fate of one of Paisley’s most historic buildings is to be decided within weeks.

Planning chiefs have said the former Half-Time School may now be beyond repair, with developers hoping to get the green light to demolish what remains of the B-listed structure and build 40 flats in its place.

The school was built by thread-making firm J&P Coats in 1887 and once taught hundreds of youngsters in its six classrooms.

Pupils at the school worked for J&P Coats and would attend lessons on alternate days, giving the building its name.

It later became a nightclub but, over the past two decades, has fallen into ruin after being severely damaged by a fire in 1997 and then battered by high winds in 1999.

A planning application has been lodged by RH Contracts to demolish the building and replace it with a U-shaped four-storey block of flats.

Councillors are set to make a final decision on the plans at a meeting on Tuesday, March 13.

However, campaigners have called for the remains of the building to be incorporated into any future design.

Councillor Eileen McCartin, who visited the site this week to inspect it as a member of the Old Paisley Society, which focuses on preserving the town’s rich heritage, said: “Years of mismanagement, fires and the horrendous planning laws we have in this country have allowed this once magnificent building to fall into a ruin, which now can’t be saved.

“I want to ensure that, if this application is passed, as much as possible of the building’s identifiable features remain.

“People who move into any new flats built here need to know they are living in a heritage site which is part of Paisley’s history.”

Renfrewshire Council confirmed a planning application for the site has been lodged.

Fraser Carlin, head of planning and housing for Renfrewshire Council, said: “The removal of the remains of the Half-Time School would present the opportunity for the redevelopment of a site occupied by a derelict building.

“The limited remaining exterior walls are supported by temporary propping and all are substantially affected by prolonged vandalism and coated with spray paint and graffiti.”