Plans to turn a landmark Bridge of Allan hotel into school boarding accommodation have been approved despite planners admitting it could mean a “loss of vitality” in the area.
Fairview International School bought the Royal Hotel on Henderson Street, an iconic building dating back to 1842, in June 2021.
In 2020 the previous owners said it had been unprofitable as a hotel for some time despite substantial refurbishment and that the coronavirus pandemic had “exacerbated the problem to such an extent that the owners had no intention of reopening in the face of further losses”.
Plans by BofA Property Ltd to convert the hotel into 12 flats and build 14 townhouses in the grounds were approved the same year but proved controversial locally.
Fairview, however, later bought the site - not the first time the school has stepped in to buy long-established buildings in the town.
The school was established in Bridge of Allan in 2019 when Fairview bought the site of the former Beaconhurst School after it was controversially closed.
A change of use application submitted to Stirling Council planners by Fairview International Ltd for the former Royal Hotel has now been conditionally approved.
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
In their decision, the planners said: “The proposal relates to a change of use with no internal or external alterations. There will therefore be no impact on the character, appearance or setting of the Conservation Area or the Listed Building.
“Given that the proposal states only a maximum of 20 residential students will utilise the facility, it is unlikely that the building will retain the vibrancy of the hotel use and there may be a resultant loss to the vitality of the area.
“However, since there are no proposals to remove the glazed frontage and seating to the front of the building, there will still remain the impression of an active use.”
Work started on the premises last summer including essential grounds maintenance, the development of a community area, the development of the first floor living areas and the opening of the pastoral and study spaces.
Earlier this year headteacher David Hicks said: “The building is rich in history, so it is very important to us that we respect that whilst creating a facility for our day students and future boarding students to develop awareness and understanding of the world around them.
“We hope this is a building and project the whole community can be proud of.”
Faireview, which was founded in Malaysia, has been a presence in the town since stepping in to buy the Beaconhurst School site then opening its co-educational independent school for children aged five years and above.
