Councilset toapprove flatsplan
Semi-derelict storage accommodation in Stirling city centre looks set to be turned into six new homes.
Stirling Council planners have granted conditional approval to Westerlea Properties to turn the C-listed buildings behind 75 Port Street and 14 Upper Craigs into residential properties.
The premises are largely out of sight but are surrounded by properties at Port Street, Upper Craigs and Wellgreen.
The buildings, a mix of brick and stone with a mostly asbestos roof, are said to be of “regional significance” as the complex represents a rare survival of the industrialisation of Stirling in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
In their decision the planners said: “The proposals represent an appropriate use for the site and through the use of conditions will preserve and restore the building’s character ensuring historic features such as the windows/doors, roof lights and use of materials are restored or successfully replicated.”
The planners said the retail use on the ground floor at Port Street would be retained, with the residential properties being created to the back in buildings which are not currently in retail or office use.
“Residential use on upper floors and to the rear of the primary streets is supported,” they added.
“It is considered that the applicants have designed the scheme in a manner that seeks to limit the impact the proposal will have on this listed building and the conservation area as a whole, with alterations being sympathetic and in keeping with the listed building and conservation area where necessary.
“Furthermore the change of use will not have a detrimental impact upon the amenity of neighbouring properties or the surrounding area.
“The proposals use existing openings but do involve new penetrations to form window and door openings, including vents, extract terminals and pipework.
“There are existing brick and stone walls, which are in poor condition, with sections requiring attention. There are haphazard walkways constructed from metal, which are shown to be completely rebuilt in materials to match and complement the building.
“Windows are missing and in a poor condition and it is proposed to install new, of a type historically relevant to the building with all detailing to retain the buildings character.
“The proposals also involve reroofing to remove asbestos and form an entire new roof, retaining original features such as the roof lights and finished using materials that complement the building’s character.
“The application site includes the shop that fronts on to Port Street and the class 1 retail use does not change as part of these proposals.
“The proposals are to utilise the pend access off Upper Craigs and by removing some of the poorest quality built fabric in the centre of the complex each flat enjoys its own front door externally, two sharing a staircase and the other two accessed directly at ground level.”