Stirling Council has generated £1.16 million in capital receipts this financial year through the sale of properties and land no longer needed for frontline operations, as part of a wider drive to streamline its estate and cut running costs. The local authority said its property disposal programme is designed to ensure redundant buildings are either sold, leased or redeveloped so they can be brought back into productive use and support local communities and economic growth.
Income has been secured from the disposal of several prominent sites, including the former Beech Gardens care home in Torbrex, the Cowane Centre in Stirling, the former Croftamie Nursery and the Wolfcraig office building in the city. Progress is also being reported on regeneration opportunities at the Viewforth site and land next to the Forthside Bridge, both in Stirling, which the council views as key locations for future development.
Councillor Gerry McLaughlan, convener of the finance, economy and culture committee, said the initiative is delivering both financial and community benefits. “The property disposal programme ensures that buildings and land no longer needed by the council are either used for other purposes or redeveloped in a way that delivers best value for our communities,” he said. “It enables us to reduce ongoing costs for maintenance, security, insurance and utilities at these sites, and brings them back into productive use for communities, supporting regeneration efforts.”
Alongside outright sales, the council is prioritising the reuse and leasing of suitable buildings to community and third-sector organisations. A lease for the former Balfron local office has been concluded, while agreements have also been reached for the former Cowie community centre, Dunblane Burgh Chambers and the East Argyll Centre in the Braehead area of Stirling, with the Ochil Centre currently on the market.
McLaughlan described this strand of the work as “a significant aspect of the programme”, highlighting the impact on local groups. “Leasing out underused buildings for other purposes can bring substantial benefits for communities,” he added, pointing to the 1314 Boxing Club’s new lease of the East Argyll Centre as an example of assets being retained in community use.
Other sites are moving forward through the planning system, including the former Strathendrick care home in Balfron, which has consent for demolition and the construction of six new homes. The former District Court in Stirling was marketed last year, with a final agreement on its future expected early in the new financial year, as the council continues to reshape its property portfolio in response to financial pressures and changing service needs.
