September 26 2019

North Lanarkshire Council is being asked to consent to the demolition of a historic department store in Airdrie town centre after its owners declared that the structure was beyond commercial repair.

Wilson Developments with Darnton B3 Architecture are seeking to completely demolish the structure and erect a like-for-like facsimile of ‘similar character and design merit’, delivering 20 flats above ground-floor retail.

This will see neoclassical details replicated with reconstituted stone with a render finish matching the current appearance. An inhabited mansard roof will be finished in natural slate.

In a statement, the applicant wrote: “Orrs Department Store ceased trading in 2007 and has lain vacant ever since. It has deteriorated to the extent that it is now on the Buildings at Risk Register. The fabric condition is bad enough that demolition and rebuilding is the only commercially viable option to bring the site back into use.

“A conscious effort has been made to retain the character and presence of the original building which contributes to the definition and character of South Bridge Street and the wider conservation area.”

The unlisted building sits within the heart of the towns central conservation area and its condition was described as ‘fair’ in 2014.

11 Comments

#1 Posted by Broken windaes on 26 Sep 2019 at 22:45 PM

Like-for-like facsimilie! Haud oan a minute. Was the extra storey hidden by a fold in the facsimilie?

#2 Posted by Margaret robertson on 27 Sep 2019 at 05:59 AM

North lanarkshire elected councillors are a disgrace to the fabric of Airdrie town centre it is they who should be replaced to maintain the fabric of our society. Airdrie town centre is a ghost town due to their horrific planning agendas.

#3 Posted by Annmarie on 27 Sep 2019 at 11:01 AM

Airdrie is going to become just another housing scheme as we are loosing all that was in Airdrie their is very little left of the 1ns thriving town centres its just a sad day for all around the town

#4 Posted by Isabel on 27 Sep 2019 at 17:27 PM

Thank goodness
An eyesore in the centre of the town why has it taken so long?

#5 Posted by Amanda on 27 Sep 2019 at 19:35 PM

I worked on and off in Orr's for 14 years, lots of good memories in that shop and to see it lying empty for all these years has been very sad everytime I have walked passed, it will be nice to see it getting rebuilt and in use again, hopefully!!!

#6 Posted by George Mclaughlan on 27 Sep 2019 at 21:17 PM

Good on them about time should do the same to the building on Bank St and Hall Craig St up above the post office

#7 Posted by Broken windaes on 27 Sep 2019 at 23:03 PM

So #2 what have NL cooncillors not done that might have staved off the decline that has affected every town centre in the UK and beyond? Which part of the agenda offended you? Please, the floor is yours...
#3 housing is the only option! Might as well get people back living in the town centre to bring life back. What's your suggestion? More bookies and charity shops?

#8 Posted by Angela on 28 Sep 2019 at 08:26 AM

Who would want to buy a flat situated there ? Sounds mad to me !

#9 Posted by Jean carson on 28 Sep 2019 at 08:51 AM

South bridge st rates are far to high the district council should reduce the shop rates to encourage new shops not build houses in the main st .the councillors should be approaching primary. Marks and Spencer’s and other big outlets to encourage to come to airdrie.

#10 Posted by Randall???? on 28 Sep 2019 at 10:02 AM

Thank f...k I'm dead before Airdrie

#11 Posted by Broken windaes on 28 Sep 2019 at 15:36 PM

You could reduce rates to nothing and there would still be empty units - as has been tried elsewhere. Shopping has changed and the glory days of the high streets are gone. Why do people continually fail to realise this?
The young need somewhere to live after maw n paws and the city/town centres should be there for them.

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