Cover Story
Falkirk Town Centre Vision and Development Framework
Demolition
Like many other towns across the UK, Falkirk town centre has seen a marked decline in national retailer representation over the past decade, reflected in high levels of vacancies in the High Street and the two shopping malls and declining retail status and patronage in the historic town centre.
A significant amount of work has been focussed upon revitalising Falkirk Town Centre, since 2019, through a place-focussed action plan (The Revitalising Falkirk Action Plan).
Accepting the need to progress our town centre ambitions and adapt to the emerging post-covid environmental and trading challenges, Falkirk Council appointed consultants, following a tendering exercise, to take forward a shared Vision for Falkirk Town Centre in the form of a Development Framework.
The Vision and Development Framework sets out a place-making framework for physical and spatial change in Falkirk town centre as it evolves over the next 10-20 years incorporating the complexities of relevant policy and strategy and reflecting an alignment of intent across all major stakeholders. It aims to guide and inform future
development, attract investment and ensure the town centre meets the needs and aspirations of the local community.
In the development of a new Vision for the town, there is a requirement to consider and prioritise several key regeneration opportunities within Falkirk town centre, including:
• The redundant Callander Square Shopping Centre, now purchased by Falkirk Council and approved for development as the new Falkirk Arts Centre and HQ; the now redundant Falkirk Bus station; large vacant retail premises such as the former Marks and Spencer building and neighbouring West End retail properties; the Falkirk Central Transport Hub/Grahamston Station. A key component within the Falkirk/Grangemouth Growth Deal, the Falkirk Central project seeks to create a new multi-modal transport hub at Grahamston Station and transform it into an attractive arrival point for the Town Centre; the site of the former Falkirk Municipal Buildings;
• Town Centre Connections. There are opportunities to
improve the Town Centre’s active travel connections with its hinterland and other key assets through the Falkirk Central Transport Hub project. A further Growth Deal Project, Scotland’s National Art Park, is being led by Scottish Canals, and offers potential to improve links with the Lowland Canals network; and public realm improvements and preservation of key heritage assets.
Progress now continues at pace with the former Callander Square shopping Centre, with an 12 month demolition contract having commenced on site in April 2024. Both the Arts Centre/HQ and Falkirk Central Transport Hub are key Place projects within the Falkirk Growth deal and are at Outline Business Case stage.
The site of the former Falkirk Municipal Buildings, will now bring new vitality and footfall to the Town Centre area.
Council Officers are now considering the next stages of the Falkirk Town Centre Vision, with a focus upon options to review the High Street Public Realm and development options for the East End of the Town Centre, in line with the Arts Centre and HQ development. A similar exercise is now in development to deliver a Vision and Development Framework for Grangemouth Town centre, Camelon/Falkirk West and Bo’ness.
Town Hall image - credit
mlaarchitects.co.uk COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2024 7
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