Late bid to save Denny’s old cop shop
The former Denny police station
A row over the future of a former police station has reignited after councillors claimed more could be done to maintain the building.
The station in Denny’s Broad Street has lain empty since officers moved to a new police office in Larbert in 2010.
Last month Falkirk Council, which owns the site, won approval to demolish the 80-year-old structure.
The Falkirk Herald previously reported that some Denny residents, including the local Heritage Society, wished to see the building retained as they believe the town has already lost too many historic properties.
This week the council revealed that it plans to build nine affordable homes on the site. The project is due to be debated by the housing and social work committee on August 28.
But two Denny representatives insist that more could be done to maintain the building.
Councillor John McNally said: “My understanding on the future of the building was that it was to be remodelled or converted to suitable flatted dwelling accommodation.
“The development of the site was never in question, however there will be an opportunity to scrutinise alternatives on the possibility of retaining the façade of the existing building or looking at recreating the image of the building in a similar way to what was managed at the new Dale Bridge.”
That view was echoed by another Denny councillor, Brian McCabe.
He added: “I have become aware of three businesses who had approached the council with a view to purchasing or leasing the building as it stands. This is disturbing. Why didn’t the council agree to lease the building temporarily?”
A council spokesman said: “Following evaluation of options for housing on the site, including remodelling of the property, it was determined that demolition and new build provided better value for money, allowed the council to access Scottish Government funding and would provide the required housing mix that meets the needs set out in the council’s housing strategy.
“The current position is that the designs for proposed nine new homes on the site are being finalised and, as such, a contract has not yet been awarded. Demolition will progress once the design works have been concluded.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Falkirk
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
