STIRLING Council has secured £1.16 million in capital receipts this financial year (2025-26) as part of its programme to dispose of surplus properties and land.
The council’s property disposal programme aims to ensure that buildings no longer required for operational purposes are either brought back into productive use through sale or lease, or redeveloped in ways that support local communities and economic growth.
Income has been secured from the disposal of the former Beech Gardens care home in Torbex; the Cowane Centre in Stirling; the former Croftamie Nursery and the Wolfcraig office building in Stirling.
There is also progress on several regeneration opportunities including the Viewforth site and land next to Forthside Bridge both in Stirling.
The Viewforth site includes the land and assets in and around Old Viewforth (excluding the Old Viewforth building but including Langgarth House), as well as Burghmuir Road, Linden Avenue car park and the former Wellgreen Care Home. The preferred bidder for the eight-hectare site has a conditional legal agreement that is close to conclusion. A planning application for the site is expected around July this year.
The land adjacent to Forthside Bridge in Stirling, identified as an ‘urban riverside living site’ was placed on the market in August 2025 and offers were received in November. The council is working with its agent to finalise a preferred bidder recommendation.
Councillor Gerry McLaughlan, convener for the finance, economy, and culture committee, said, “The property disposal programme ensures that buildings and land no longer needed by the council are either used for other purposes or redeveloped in a way that delivers best value for our communities. It enables us to reduce ongoing costs for maintenance, security, insurance and utilities at these sites, and brings them back into productive use for communities, supporting regeneration efforts.”
The local authority is also focusing on the reuse of buildings. A lease for the former Balfron local office has been concluded and lease agreements have been agreed for the former Cowie community centre, Dunblane Burgh Chambers, and East Argyll Centre in the Braehead area of Stirling. The Ochil Centre in Stirling is currently on the market.
Other developments include the former Strathendrick care home in Balfron, which has planning permission granted for demolition and the construction of six houses. The former District Court in Stirling was marketed last year and a final agreement is expected early in the new financial year.
