Concerns have been raised about vandalism at the former M&G (Prudential) campus at Craigforth which includes the historic Craigforth House.
In recent weeks walkers in the vicinity have noticed that windows in vacated office buildings have been smashed and graffiti daubed on exterior walls.
M&G (Prudential) last year moved to new offices at Kildean Business Park on the other side of the motorway and there are proposals to redevelop the Craigforth site.
A city resident told the Observer last week: “We were walking through the former M&G (Prudential) campus at Craigforth and noticed it had been targeted by vandals.
“At least two big plate glass windows – about 6ft by 4ft – were smashed and graffiti sprayed on the upper parts of the building.
“Having walked through the site regularly since the start of the pandemic, I know there used to be a security team there but from what I can see the place is now deserted and the gatehouse is empty. All the offices look to have been emptied.
“It would be bad news if the vandals, having trashed the vacated offices, moved on to B-listed Craigforth House nearby.
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“It was built in the 17th or 18th century but taken over in 1970 by Scottish Amicable who developed the now empty and vandalised nearby office complex.”
A planning application submitted by Ambassador LB Holdings Ltd for offices at the Craigforth site, submitted to Stirling Council in July 2020, including new access, car parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure had been approved in December 2020.
A further planning in principle application by the same applicant for the redevelopment of the Craigforth Campus comprising retail, leisure, public houses, restaurants, residential, hotel, care home, nursery, car parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure – also submitted in July 2020 – is awaiting a decision.
The Observer has contacted Savills in Edinburgh who are agents for Ambassador LB Holdings LLP.
Historic Environment Scotland’s listed buildings portal states that Craigforth House is ‘17th century or early 18th century in original form’ and had been ‘gutted by fire in 1930’.
Extensions on the original building, it adds, ‘are so well done that only close investigation will reveal their presence’.
It goes on to describe the building as having ‘superb condition throughout following conversion in 1970 to offices for an insurance company.’
M&G plc signed a 20-year lease with Stirling Development Agency (a joint venture between Cromwell Property Group and Stirling Council) for the new Kildean site early 2021.
