A historic mansion house owned by Falkirk Council could be up for sale if the public agrees.
Built in 1852, Kilns House – which sits between the current municipal buildings and Dollar Park – has lain vacant for several years and is now in a poor state of repair.
The council now says the B-listed, red sandstone villa is in need of significant refurbishment and is no longer fit for purpose or of use to the council.
They are proposing that Kilns House and a large part of its ground should be advertised and sold.
However a significant area, which allows pedestrian access from the town centre to Dollar Park, will be maintained.
The council says selling the house and garden would allow a developer to restore the building, either creating a small hotel – or another commercial enterprise – or converting it into homes.
However, as the building was bought by the former burgh of Falkirk in 1954, it belongs to the Common Good Fund – and that means residents of the old burgh must be given a say in its disposal.
The council says the sale would not only save on security costs and rates, it would result in funds being added to the Common Good Fund.
A consultation on the house’s future is now open and it will run until April 14.
A spokesperson for Falkirk Council said: “We’re really interested to receive a wide range of thoughts from the public about the potential future of Kilns House through this consultation.
“The Council no longer has a use for it but given its architectural importance as well its stunning location, it’s important that views are taken on board prior to releasing it to the market.
“It has been vacant for over a decade now and needs investment, however we are confident that a sympathetic development can be made from this B-listed building.”
History of Kilns House
The wider area of Kilns was originally part of a large estate belonging to the Nimmos – the family who also owned Westbank, the mansion that was eventually demolished to make way for the current municipal buildings.
The Nimmos sold part of their land to the then Procurator Fiscal of East Stirlingshire, John Gair, who built the current house there in 1852.
Mr Gair died at Kilns on April 14, 1891.
However, Mrs Gair and her daughters continued to live there and the connection with the family was not severed until Miss CL Gair – the last of John Gair’s children – died in April 1932.
It was bought by a Falkirk solicitor, Thomas Graham Marr, who owned it until May 1954 when it was sold to Falkirk Council for use as offices.
