Falkirk Council becomes the first authority to use new powers to acquire an ownerless building

Falkirk Council has demolished the derelict former Royal Hotel in Slamannan, after becoming the first local authority to take advantage of a new scheme intended to simplify the process of bringing ownerless property back into use. Under the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme, launched by the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer earlier this year, the council was able to acquire the building, which has been empty for more than 20 years, for just £1.

With the initial demolition completed, the site will be cleared and levelled in the coming days, and will be converted into a green space ahead of a community consultation on the site’s future use. You can read the guidance on how the Ownerless property transfer scheme works here.