Capcoin Investments Ltd have submitted an application to planners to convert and subdivide the former William Simpson’s Home property off Main Street into 17 flats.

The building was constructed in 1833-37 and the later addition to the north was added around 1860, the Stirling Observer reports.

In documents submitted with the application, agents for the developer said: “The building is in fairly poor condition and has been through a series of owners since it has ceased to be a functioning care facility.

“It was in a partially derelict condition when the current developers took ownership in 2022.

“The current owners have completed a partial strip out to remove building material that was beyond repair, and carry out urgent work to address issues such as leaks in the roof, dry rot and unstable internal fabric.

“The proposals for the building are to redevelop the building into 17 flats and the conservation strategy is to repair and maintain as much of the original building fabric as possible, whilst providing homes that are up to modern standards and fit for purpose.”

They added: “In summary, this has meant that externally the building fabric has remained largely unaltered, with some small alterations along with significant repair and conservation work, whilst internally numerous changes have had to be made to facilitate the conversion to residential flats. Overall, the principle of the project means that this beautiful building will have a sustainable future and can be appreciated for generations to come.

“Originally known as the ‘William Simpson’s asylum for indigent men of advanced age’, the building was opened in June 1836 and is category B-listed. It continued to give accommodation and support to former members of the Armed Forces until relatively recently when a new facility was opened in the nearby former stable block.

“The site is accessed from the access from A9 to the south of Plean, sharing a private road with the relocated William Simpson Home and the nearby Governer’s House.”

A previous planning application and listed building consent to convert and subdivide the building into 14 flats was granted in 2019.

The agents revealed: “The current owners bought the property on the basis that this permission was in place to allow them to redevelop the site and realise its potential. Subsequently, they have cleared the outstanding condition on the permission and started the landscaping work to ensure that the existing planning permission does not expire.”

The agents added that upon purchasing the property, the current owners found that some issues with the proposed design including that the flats were “very large which was inefficient in terms of how the space within the building could be used to maximise its potential”; the previous layout required residents of some of the flats on the uppermost floor to descend to the courtyard before climbing three storeys to their property; and the lower ground floor flats had limited access to external areas, despite being adjacent to the external ground level.

Apart from some changes outlined in the new application, the agents said the proposals were in line with the previously approved scheme, adding; “These proposals reduce the number of changes to the external fabric of the existing building when compared to the currently approved layouts.

“The revised layout increases the number of flats from 14 to 17, thereby increasing the commerical viability of the scheme and using the available space more effectively, whilst at the same time improving the circulation and access to the building.”