Housing plans for Bo’ness town centre derelict site approved

Falkirk Council’s planning committee agreed to approve plans for 24 new flats and six new houses at the junction of Commissioner Street and Union Street. Councillors welcomed the plans which they say will transform the “vacant, overgrown and derelict site” and improve the character and appearance of the town centre conservation area.

The new development will have a terrace of six, two-storey houses facing onto Commissioner Street, while the flats will be in two three-storey blocks, fronting Union Street and the corner of the two streets. All of the homes, designed by Arka Architects for MGR Holdings Ltd, will be affordable housing for a registered social landlord.

The design statement says the local firm of architects have tried to use elements of the town’s most notable architect, Matthew Steele, when they drew up plans for the development.

The plans came before committee because of an objection by the Health and Safety Executive, due to the fact that the Forties pipeline runs underneath the town.

Ineos FPS has not objected to the application and has stated that the safety and engineering integrity of the Forties Pipeline would not be affected by the proposed development.

Because of the objection from the Health and Safety Executive, the application will now be referred to Scottish Ministers, but it is very unlikely that they will object as many other buildings are located over the pipeline.