Concerns over empty properties
Over 900 homes empty
More than 900 domestic properties are currently lying empty across Stirling, with calls to help people find accommodation and their way on to the property ladder.
The information has been revealed via a Freedom of Information request to Scotland’s local authorities - which yielded responses from 30 councils on the number of unoccupied properties currently under their control.
The data for Stirling has revealed that there are a total of 910 empty domestic properties locally, with a further 435 ‘non-domestic’ properties - including shops and other commercial sites - added to that.
In Clackmannanshire, there were a total of 64 unoccupied residential properties as of October 18 and a further 10 commercial properties remain empty, three of these being former schools.
Across the whole of Scotland, there are currently 66,802 unoccupied properties in Scotland, with 55,477 of these being domestic properties.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “The overwhelming majority of these properties are outwith the responsibility of Stirling Council.
“However, we are keen to see as many as possible made available for housing, where appropriate, and would encourage private residential property owners in particular to engage with our empty homes service.
“There are currently 79 council-owned properties out of a housing stock of more than 6,000 not being let.
“Generally, this is because they require to be repaired or upgraded before being returned to the meet the demand from housing list applicants as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“Stirling Council owns 25 unoccupied non-domestic properties. These are being actively advertised and we are in discussion with several potential new tenants.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart criticised ministers’ efforts to resolve the number of houses lying empty across the region.
Mr Stewart said: “The SNP’S record on housebuilding is disgraceful – and these shocking figures just add to the charge sheet against ministers.
“I am completely dismayed that, at a time when there is a chronic lack of homes across Scotland; tens of thousands of homes lie empty and in many cases are now derelict.
“We are in an appalling situation that that viable housing stock is being wasted and neglected in this way, which is why the Scottish Conservatives would support compulsory sale orders for long-term unoccupied properties, and why we have proposed relaxing planning laws to allow for the conversion of unoccupied business buildings into accommodation.
“If they are ever to sort the housing crisis they themselves have created, the SNP must follow suit, as well as committing to the ambitious housing targets that we in the Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly called for.”