Council agrees £800,000 sale for former care home demolished after fire

Falkirk Council has agreed to sell land belonging to a former care home that was demolished following a fire for £800,000.

Torwoodhall in Larbert, which closed in 2020, was previously set to be sold by the council for £600,000 but the building was badly damaged by fire before the sale had been finalised and was demolished.

However, the now vacant land on Carronvale Road will be purchased by Urban Nest Scotland Ltd for £800,000, members heard.

They were also told that the cost of demolition had been fully covered by the building’s insurers.

Falkirk Integration Joint Board, which oversees health and social care locally, approved the closure of Torwoodhall care home in November 2020, and the property was declared surplus to requirements by Falkirk Council in August 2021.

Following the demolition, the 1.72 acre site went back on the market last year, with an offers over listing of £350,000, and a closing date was set for November.

Urban Nest Scotland Ltd says it intends to build 16 residential units on the land although this will be subject to planning permission.

At the meeting, the SNP’s economic development spokesperson, Councillor Paul Garner, said: “It is good to see that a substantial receipt will be secured by the council and this will now be redeveloped for new homes.”

Speaking after the meeting, Labour councillor Jack Redmond said: “While I welcome the council securing a strong receipt for the Torwoodhall site, the loss of this important 1850s building is deeply disappointing.

“With the site now selling for more following the fire and demolition, residents will rightly expect transparency and reassurance that both heritage and best value have been fully considered.”