Time running out for Denny flats
Church Walk is set for demolition
Church Walk will be completely flattened by this time next year, according to council bosses overseeing the long-awaited regeneration of Denny town centre.
The dilapidated blocks, a mixture of flats and shops, have long been viewed as an eyesore and Falkirk Council has already demolished the sections facing Duke Street and St Alexander’s Church as part of a project to breathe new life into the area.
It is continuing to purchase the remaining retail units that are privately owned.
Plans were unveiled last year to build a two-storey building on the site, near Denny Cross, which will contain a new library and space for nine shops. The remainder of the site will be then be marketed for private development.
But concerns about that plan were raised at a public meeting organised by opposition councillors last week at Denny Bowling Club.
Councillors John McNally, Martin Oliver and Brian McCabe spoke with around 60 residents.
Among the issues discussed were proposals to direct the majority of town centre traffic along Davies Row instead of Stirling Street and the design of the new library building.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor McCabe said: “The majority of people who attended the public meeting were dissatisfied with the current council proposal.
“Most recognised how inappropriate this development is, how user unfriendly it is - with ramps and stairs and obstacles - and how ‘short-termist’ the proposed solution appears to be.
“There was also recognition of how incomplete the plans are, as over 80 per cent of the site is described as ‘For Future Development’. It’s completely unsatisfactory.”
Douglas Duff, head of economic development at Falkirk Council said: “The planning process is almost complete and we are working towards acquiring all outstanding interests in the town centre.
“A relocation strategy is being taken forward and final demolition of the existing blocks should be complete by late summer 2013.”
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Weather for Falkirk
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 13 C
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Temperature: 4 C to 12 C
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