Denny town centre has evolved historically in a somewhat piecemeal manner and this has resulted in a fragmented town centre.
Stirling Street in the early 1960's consisted of a variety of two and three storey buildings. With an array of shops, offices and pubs at ground floor level and residential dwellings above.
Footpaths and roads were narrow and some pedestrian and traffic problems began to appear. Present attitudes to development would almost certainly favour retention and renovation.
However 1960's attitudes favoured redevelopment by demolition and rebuilding.
The existing buildings on the west side of Stirling Street were demolished and four new residential/retail blocks (Church Walk Blocks) were built providing a main shopping area on the ground floor and maisonette style Council housing above.
The general styling of the blocks including flat roofs, raised pedestrian access and rear parking have resulted in a mixture of social and building fabric problems. In addition, although, over the years, a significant amount of refurbishment works have been carried out to the blocks, the residential properties were proving very difficult to let due to the poor and stigmatised reputation that has grown within the area.
Given the inherent design problems within the four blocks, the Council considered that further refurbishment works will not resolve the social problems and therefore full demolition would be considered opening up opportunities to redesign and redevelop the town centre.
Denny’s town centre will be transformed with plans for a £6.5m redevelopment package agreed in early October 2011 by Falkirk Council.
This major project will see new shops, a library, a town square and additional parking delivered as quickly as possible. The project will proceed despite the fragile economic conditions faced globally and across the UK. It will see the complete demolition of the Church Walk blocks, work on which started in August this year.
Initially, the Council agreed to progress the delivery of the Denny Regeneration Project with its development partner, Henry Boot Developments Ltd. However this project is now ended as, despite extensive marketing efforts, Henry Boot were unable to attract a major food retailer, needed to help deliver the scheme. As a result the Council is now pushing with the regeneration. With a strong architectural design record, the Council will build the first phase and market other sites as the scheme progresses.
What the Council agreed to do
At its meeting on 05 October Falkirk Council was faced with two options in taking Denny’s redevelopment forward.
Option One
Existing agreement with Henry Boot to progress the masterplan supported by the community through consultation in 2010. However this could not be progressed until commitment was received from a foodstore operator. Despite expressions of interest, this has not yet materialised. Henry Boot also made an offer to the Council that it would build a foodstore in advance if the Council would fund this property. The Council declined to do this due to the significant costs involved and concern that the foodstore design would not meet occupier’s needs.
Option Two
Falkirk Council led scheme and commits to delivery of a first phase of development incorporating a new Library, and nine units for local retailers. In addition the Council would complete a new car park, town square and other public realm work for the overall site. This will leave two development sites which will be marketed to attract private sector interest in other shops and a foodstore.
The Council intends to proceed with the second option and has consulted extensively with the community prior to submitting the planning application in April 2012. The proposals are available to view online|.
The application references are;
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P/12/0179/PPP for the outline planning application for the whole town
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P/12/0180/FUL for the detailed planning application for Phase 1 (shops, library, car park and town square)
Consultation
The Council is consultating in three stages:
Stage 1 - The Council’s Proposals
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Communicated the Council’s decision and approach to delivery of the scheme.
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Information provided on website and newsletter distributed to all residents
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3 day drop-in event (01, 02 & 03 November) presenting the plans and inviting comments.
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07 December 2011 – Feedback to Falkirk Council on the Stage 1 consultation
Stage 2 - Commencement of Planning Process
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November - Preparation of design brief, commission technical studies and prepare all detailed plans and information required to submit an outline masterplan and detailed planning application.
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December – distribution of Stage 1 consultation results inviting residents to a further 2 day drop-in events with more detailed plans.
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January - Planning Appliation Notice (PAN) lodged to formally commencing the planning application process. A two day drop-in event presented detailed drawings of the town square, building perspectives and material finishes, inviting further comments
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February – Flyer distributed to all residents identifying detailed proposals and delivery timescales.
Stage 3 – Submission of Planning Application
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Planning application and supporting documentation finalised.
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Outline and detailed planning application submitted to Falkirk Council – with final opportunity for comment.
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Report on planning application to Planning Committee with feedback on consultation.
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There will also be further opportunities to comment on the plans for phases 2 & 3 of the scheme as they come forward.
View the latest proposals:
Demolition
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Both blocks A & D are now demolished with grass seeding of the two vacant plots now undertaken.
We are hoping to continue our work with local community groups to develop a community garden in this area. Further details will be made available in due course.
Falkirk Council would like to thank Denny businesses, shoppers and the community for their support during this key phase of the regeneration of Denny town centre.
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