Falkirk Council in Scotland, UK, has decided to demolish a dilapidated hotel in Slamannan Cross that has been deemed an eyesore and valued at £0. The decision comes after its previous owners, Broch Homes Ltd, went into liquidation, leaving the building in a state of disrepair.

The council sees the demolition as a step towards resolving longstanding issues associated with the derelict site.

Scheme to bring ownerless property back to public use

In an effort to address the challenges posed by ownerless land and property, Falkirk Council is embarking on a pilot project called the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS).

A Scottish official whose role is to represent the interests of the Crown, entitled the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR), is working with the council to acquire the derelict Royal Hotel. The council then plans to demolish the building, consult the community about the future use of the site and explore opportunities for redevelopment.

The KLTR will assume the liability of the previous owner, minimising risk for Falkirk Council.

Fund to cover project costs and promote community benefit

The estimated costs for the demolition and redevelopment project, including taxes, professional and legal fees, are approximately £25,000. The council intends to finance these expenses from its £1 million Regeneration Fund.

Councillor Paul Garner, the administration's economic development spokesperson, expressed his hope that the fund would not only cover the project's costs but also support the implementation of a replacement for the hotel.

The initiative will be the largest regeneration project in Slamannan in recent years, with the potential for further positive developments in the future.