Developer RAAC Ltd wants to create two ground floor dwellings and create a garden/parking area behind 53-59 King Street.

The mid-terrace stone built property is C-listed and features a ground floor double retail unit with private rented flats above.

Agents for the developer said the area to the rear of the building features “various single storey elements” that are currently vacant despite being “extensively” marketed.

In documents submitted with a planning application lodged with Stirling Council planners, the agents mparchitecture said: “The applicant has owned the building for just over two years. They have divided and let the two front facing units on King Street and converted an office within the tenement building back to residential use.

“The unused rear area is in poor condition and needs development to maintain the lifespan of the building.

“Three options have been considered to date - leave as is and let as a store with parking (there have been no enquiries in over two years); renovate for use as a workshop/store (this is not financially viable as a minimum of £40,000 would need spent to achieve a maximum of £4,000 per annum rent); and convert to offices with parking (there has been one general enquiry in over two years of advertising and converting to an office is no longer an option given the change in working patterns driven by the pandemic).

“The building is lying empty and falling into disrepair. Recent government and planning authorities have suggested encouraging people back to town centres by converting unused commercial units into residential. This is not front facing retail therefore no prime retail would be lost. The general area would be enhanced by creating some green space within the existing courtyard together with the renovation of the existing rear facades.

“There will be a requirement for additional window/door openings together with the replacement of the existing lean-to extension which is in a state of disrepair. This shall be replaced with a pitched roof extension with natural slate and weatherboard cladding to the facade.

“The rear facade cannot be seen from any public highway as the rear carparking area of the property is accessed via a narrow lane off Corn Exchange Road.”