In a significant step towards enhancing the local student accommodation landscape, planning permission has been granted for the conversion of the former Wilko store located at 71-73 High Street in Falkirk into residential flats for 107 students. This initiative marks the introduction of Falkirk’s first Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), addressing a pressing need for suitable living spaces in the area.
The Wilko store has remained vacant since 2023, prompting developers Ghanshyam Property Ltd to recognise the shortfall in student accommodation within Falkirk. The new facility will not only provide housing but will also feature a range of amenities including a gym, lounge, restaurant, and dedicated study spaces. A small section of the building will retain its commercial use, providing a retail space facing the Howgate shopping centre, ensuring a blend of residential and commercial functions in this revitalised area.
Local Demand and Support
Forth Valley College, which accommodates around 12,000 students, has expressed strong support for the development, highlighting the necessity for improved accommodation options for students, many of whom are currently forced to reside in Glasgow or Stirling. In a letter of support, Principal Kenny MacInnes emphasised the importance of quality living spaces for students, stating, “While FVC makes no commitment regarding the specific use of any planned accommodation, we support the concept of purpose-built student housing as it could address a key gap in the local market and benefit the wider community.”
Revitalising the High Street
Falkirk Council is actively working to rejuvenate the town centre, particularly in light of the increasing number of larger shops that have closed, resulting in numerous vacant units. The council’s strategy encourages the transformation of existing retail spaces into residential accommodation, a trend that has seen several successful projects in the area. The development of student accommodation in the town centre aligns with these efforts to breathe new life into Falkirk’s High Street.
The proposed five-storey accommodation block will be designed around a small courtyard and will employ a lightweight Structural Framing System to add additional floors to the existing basement and substructure. According to Falkirk-based Arka Architects, who prepared the design statement, the building, despite its height, will be thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding architecture, ensuring it does not dominate the streetscape. The entrance on the High Street, which is situated in a conservation area, will be remodelled to reflect the building’s history while harmonising with the character of neighbouring shops.
Comparative Market Insights
The arrival of PBSA in Falkirk comes amidst ongoing debates in other parts of Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh, where similar developments have been met with criticism over high rental prices often exceeding £1,400 per month. However, the developers of the Falkirk project assert that their offering will surpass the quality of recent developments in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, featuring larger room sizes and enhanced communal facilities.
The anticipated rental prices for the new PBSA block are projected to be more competitive than those found in larger urban centres. Ghanshyam Property Ltd believes that the quality and affordability of the accommodation will appeal to students from not just Falkirk, but also from nearby areas such as Alloa, Stirling, and even Glasgow and Edinburgh, creating a viable alternative for those seeking accommodation close to their places of study.