Strathendrick Care Home, which was declared surplus to requirements by the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Integration Joint Board in 2021, is the focus of fresh development plans.

Although the 12-bed home was mainly used as a respite centre in its later years, it had not originally been intended for that purpose and at one stage was home to only one full-time resident.

Stirling Council has now submitted an application to its planning department seeking permission to demolish the building and construct six affordable homes on the site, located off Main Street at the junction with George Terrace and Lomond Terrace.

The proposed development would deliver a mix of two two-bedroom and four three-bedroom houses for social rent, aimed at meeting a variety of housing needs.

In planning documents, the applicant’s agents stated: “Both vehicle and pedestrian access to the site will be via the existing streets of George Terrace and Lomond Terrace. Existing streets have formed footpaths either side which provides safe segregated pedestrian access routes.

“Waiting lists for affordable social housing are high across Scotland, the Scottish Government’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan has sought to increase provision to ease the demand. The provision of these six social housing units will provide additional sought-after accommodation within this local area.

“Dedicated Parking has been provided for each dwelling within the curtilage of the property. Two dedicated spaces have been provided for each three-bedroom unit with a single dedicated space provided for each two-bedroom unit. In addition, two new visitor bays have been provided and there is an existing lay-by parking bay on George Terrace which will be retained.”

After the care home closed, villagers suggested in 2022 that it could be repurposed as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. The idea, which was backed by the community council, was not taken forward by Stirling Council.

The closure itself was defended in 2021 by Stirling Council’s adult social care panel chair, who said the consultation process had been thorough. The decision had been approved by the Integration Joint Board as part of a wider restructuring of rural care provision.

The Balfron Local Plan 2025–2035 identifies the site for redevelopment, noting that the preferred vision is for modern sheltered housing or flats for older residents. However, it also records: “The Housing Service has expressed an interest in developing the site for new council housing (six new homes) at this location with an application to be submitted to the planning department in the near future.

“Should this occur, this LPP would support such a development with the caveat that sufficient on site car parking be provided for residents and visitors in a context where on-street parking nearby is at a premium. However, should this development from the Housing Service not come forward, we would envision this site being developed specifically for housing and/ or flats for elderly residents.”