Former Stirling care home site could be sold off for housing
The facility was briefly used for people recuperating from Covid more recently, but was once the focus of a campaign to save it from the axe.
A former Stirling care home site, which was once at the heart of a heated local campaign, looks to be on the cusp of being sold for housing.
Beech Gardens, off Polmaise Road in Torbrex, is situated within the original curtilage of the listed Batterflatts House and was purpose-built as a care facility.
In recent years the home was closed and declared surplus as a part of the reconfiguration of care services across the Forth Valley, following the creation of the Stirling Care Village.
In 2009, however, it was at the centre of a local campaign to keep it open after it was threatened with the axe in council cuts.
While the heated battle resulted in it being given a stay of execution, its use was eventually phased out and it was used for respite care for a period.
During the Covid pandemic it was upgraded, along with Allan Lodge, to support NHS patients in recovery being moved out of the hospital environment. NHS used the facility briefly, and the building was returned to the council.
In a report due before a special meeting of Stirling Council on Thursday, officials said: 'Since the pandemic, the property has attracted interest from several parties, from within the council, and a formal asset transfer request was subsequently withdrawn.
'Current running costs for 2024-2025 were £32,953, which includes £11,641 of rates, £6,404 standing charges on utilities, and £14,908 on security.
'An external marketing agent was appointed to market several council-owned surplus properties and development sites, including Beech Gardens.'
The officials said any changes to the site must protect the character and appearance of the designated conservation area and the adjacent listed building - with a single-story structure essential.
Any future development should also prioritise the use of the existing building, unless it can be demonstrated that the structural condition makes retention 'unfeasible at a reasonable cost and all reasonable efforts to retain, repair and reuse the building have been exhausted'.
The site is said to be 'well-suited for residential purposes, including private housing, social housing, or residential care'.
At the closing date in March, there were five offers received, ranging from £500,000 to £150,000.
Two offers had no suspensive conditions, or the offer was unconditional.
Two offers were subject to either condition surveys or title and site services investigations.
One offer was subject to obtaining satisfactory funding.
The report added: 'Given its position as the most financially advantageous and that it is not subject to any suspensive conditions, it is recommended that Urban Nest Scotland Limited's offer be taken forward as the preferred bidder.
'Urban Nest Scotland Ltd proposes to develop the site for private housing and is in a position to progress with the conclusion of missives on the council approval.
'Urban Nest has held initial discussions with the Planning team regarding their development plans.
'This disposal will result in the release of the property, the achievement of the capital receipt, and the reduction of revenue budget pressure in this fiscal year.'
At Thursday's special meeting, councillors will be asked to approve the preferred bidder and disposal of Beech Gardens.
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