Flats plan for former Falkirk church

Businesswoman Gina Fyffe – whose family has connections with the church – bought the building in 2014, the year after its congregation merged with Falkirk Old & St Modan’s Parish Church.

She had intended that the building should be for community use – but the cost of upkeep has made that “financially non-viable”.

Architects 3Dreid say it will be a ‘sensitive conversion’ to form a high quality residential development.

The plans submitted are for 13 homes in the former church itself and a small extension with another two at the rear of the site.

The B-listed church, built between 1903-5, sits at the junction of Cockburn Street and Hodge Street, west of the Arnothill Conservation Area and south of the course of the Antonine Wall.

The development includes the main church as well as adjoining hall and meeting rooms and key features, such as the pointed-arch windows and stone arcades, will be retained.

However, according to plans submitted to Falkirk Council, one of the rear buildings would be demolished to make way for a three-storey extension.

In total, the new development would have 15 parking spaces for cars.

Gina Fyffe founded petrochemical supply company Integra in 1989 and her initial plan for the former church was to gift it to the Falkirk and District Arts and Civic Council as part of a social enterprise initiative to run as a centre to be used by the community.

Unfortunately, that idea had to be shelved and after upgrading work she launched Erskine Community Halls.