Falkirk Council: Delay to plans for Grangemouth contract worker housing

The committee met on Wednesday to discuss plans to turn an office in Grangemouth town centre into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Brava Property Group Development want to turn the first floor of Alexandra House, a two-storey building on Station Road, into an HMO. It would have six en-suite rooms, with a communal kitchen, living area and laundry room.

Members heard that while the development should have six dedicated parking spaces, there are none at the moment for the office, which should technically have had eight.

The agent, Inderpal Gill of Helix Architecture Studio, said that while there is no dedicated parking, there are more 400 available free public parking spaces within 500 metres of the site and there is a bus service.

Mr Gill said: “We have a report stating that there’s not enough of this type of accommodation in Grangemouth and contractors are having to house themselves as far as Stirling. The current use of the building isn’t really viable any more with people working from home so this brings the building back into use in a positive way.

Gareth Thomson, of Brava Property Group, added that they also plan to add insulation and ultimately solar panels to the roof of the property.

Councillor Nimmo also said he had serious concerns about the prospect of another HMO in the town, which already has nine. “I know there is no over-provision in the Local Development Plan, but we need to draw the line somewhere – I don’t think another one is warranted,” he said.

However, councillors were reminded that the number of HMOs in the Grangemouth area is not a material planning consideration and therefore cannot be a reason for refusal.

Mr Nimmo formally proposed that the committee turn down the application, due to the lack of parking for the building.

But Councillor Alf Kelly said he was keen to see the area first before making a decision and other members agreed to his proposal to have a site visit.