Proposals to demolish the empty Loirston House offices at Altens were approved by councillors last year, however, developer CTL Estates has decided instead to convert the property.

The existing building has lain vacant since the charity Somebody Cares left the site. Prior to that, the building was used as a commercial office, but was designed to be flexible for an eventual conversion into a range of uses. Several proposals were prepared to consider alternative uses for the building, but none have proven to be viable. Therefore, a conversion into social housing will prevent the building from becoming a derelict unit, the planning statement explained.

Under designs penned by Bradley Craig Architects, there will be various alterations to the building under the proposals, including new and replacement windows and cladding, and alterations to the car park and garden ground to make it an energy-efficient, desirable unit and suitable for the new use.

The practice added: “Due to the programming benefits offered by refurbishment, the conversion will allow for the residential development to become operational within a rapid timescale. In turn, this will meet an urgent requirement for wheelchair accessible bariatric accommodation, with further units that are fully flexible for specialist provision use.

“The aim is to create a sustainable development which encourages independent living, while also providing high-quality amenity spaces, including an amenity lawn, sensory planting, flexible communal and storage areas for residents (which reflects the flexibility and changing needs of a post-pandemic world), and an environment which offers unparalleled views towards the city centre.

“The re-utilisation of an existing built asset minimises the environmental impact caused by the development. There will not be the carbon emissions caused by a major demolition. The resulting building will be upgraded to current standards, with the external fabric insulated to a higher specification and employing an efficient use of utilities, including low and zero carbon technologies where possible.

“Furthermore, the re-use of this existing structure will offer a significant cost and timescale saving in the delivery of bariatric suitable housing, when compared to a new build solution. Bariatric housing has proven to be cost-prohibitive and there is an immediate need for this type in the city, as well as in Scotland as a whole. The project meets an urgent demand for specialist affordable housing.”