PLANS to breathe new life into a historic former industrial building in Calton have been given the go-ahead.

Council officials have granted permission for changes to the B-listed Pipe Factory in Bain Street, including a new lift shaft, replacement windows, rooflights, facade repairs, a new entrance and an external yard area.

Community interest company Friends of the Pipe Factory has secured nearly £2million of regeneration funding to carry out the work.

Their aim is to renovate the building for use as a creative hub ‘that will generate pathways to pursue individual learning and development in the fields of art, architecture and design, with young people and our communities at its heart.’

A design document included with the planning application stated: “The principal works include making the building fully accessible by way of new lift shaft, upgrading the energy performance of the building, converting the floor plates into office/workshop spaces to support various uses and carrying out essential repair works

There will be accommodation for creative social enterprises, comprising a mixture of commercial hire, exhibition and performance areas, residencies, location shoots, events, workshops, talks and publications, alongside open plan studio, workshop, and office spaces.

The statement continues: “Central to the client’s vision, and beyond the use of the building socially, is to create a highly sustainable and energy efficient building that is accessible to all within the confines of a listed building.”

It is the intention that the three founding organisations of the Friends of The Pipe Factory — Articulate Cultural Trust, INCH Architecture + Design and Strangefield — will each occupy a floor of the building, alongside other companies and organisations with a social agenda.

The building has had several uses since it stopped being used a pipe factory, including shops, hairdressers, pool hall and a dance hall. Since 2013 the building has been used as artist studios and gallery spaces.