Falkirk revamp plans aim to deliver Â£150m economic boost

Plans to revitalise the centre of Falkirk and boost the broader economy by up to Â£150 million through new housing, offices, retail space and improved transport links have been unveiled by a businessman born and bred in the town.

By The Newsroom Thursday, 6th July 2017, 10:23 am Updated Tuesday, 12th September 2017, 11:39 am

Bellair's plans include a 500-seat arts venue for Falkirk town centre. Picture: Contributed

Alistair Campbell is founder and managing director of property-developer Bellair, which is behind the Falkirk Business Hub home to more than 30 firms, and said the suggested masterplan could create 500 jobs and a “lasting legacy” for his hometown.

The proposals comprise a redevelopment of the heart of the town centre focused around Falkirk Grahamston train station and surrounding area covering some 6.7 acres, stimulating a potential £50m regeneration of the surrounding area.

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• READ MORE: Town centres are in dire need of a makeover

Bellair director Colin Campbell, left, and father Alistair present their plans. Picture: Sandy Young

The mixed-use development would have two main regeneration anchors; a new Civic Centre to house Falkirk District Council and its key services, and a 500-seat arts venue in the immediate town centre.

Features include new residential property, offering a range of tenure options; commercial, leisure and retail space as well as a new multi-storey car park, public plaza area with landscaping and link bridge improving connectivity designed to revitalise the town centre attracting inward investment.

The plans also include improved transport connectivity with a new link to the A9 and “renewed focus” on Falkirk Grahamston station.

Bellair director Colin Campbell, left, and father Alistair present their plans. Picture: Sandy Young

Campbell said: “I was born in Falkirk, have worked here all of my life and believe passionately in the long-term viability and future sustainability of the town and surrounding areas.

“I truly believe that this is a comprehensive masterplan, a deliverable visionary development with flexible components in the form of residential, leisure, commercial and transport improvements.”

According to initial plans, about two thirds of the proposed Grahamston development would be allocated to housing, with around 15 per cent for offices, the same again for leisure activities and a further 5 per cent for retail.

It is also expected that the masterplan could generate an estimated overall boost of £150m for the economy as a whole.

Bellair said the creation of 300 new homes could attract around 1,000 residents to the area, boosting spend, adding that the regeneration project would also support 500 jobs due to delivering the new commercial space and could create around 100 construction jobs in each year of construction.

Campbell noted that in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, out-of-town developments have “seen the hearts literally ripped out of communities”, adding: “Our vision would do the exact opposite.”

He said Bellair has seen evidence of demand for business space, and citing successful regeneration schemes in the likes of Dundee and Perth, Campbell argued that the Falkirk development will help encourage people back into Falkirk’s historic town centre, creating extra footfall for existing businesses and attracting new names.

He added: “I’ve invested significantly to develop this vision, assess its feasibility and present a viable investment and development opportunity for both the public and private sector.”