HOPES of rescuing an "iconic" Alloa building from its current state of disrepair have been bolstered after owners attended a community meeting.

Greenfield House, a B-listed property, has been the subject of much frustration for those living in the area after becoming a beacon for some anti-social behaviour.

The former council offices was sold off when the local authority moved to Kilncraigs and has become derelict.

However, Keith Punler of Kapital Residential Ltd, met with Alloa Community Council and local representatives last month to assuage their concerns.

The Advertiser understands that he hopes workers will be on the site within the next three or four months with the demolition of the newer wing starting in the new year.

A planned extension and conversion of the vacant offices into 42 sheltered housing flats and six flats could be finished, by a rough estimate, in the second half of 2020.

Fears over anti-social behaviour were addressed by police who said there have actually been a small number of calls from the Greenfield Park area and that officers had been in regular contact with the watchman.

Afterwards, a Alloa Community Council hailed the meeting as “very positive and productive" before adding: “All agreed Greenfield House is an iconic building and everyone was keen the development goes ahead as soon as possible.”

The statement continued: “Concerns were raised by councillors including the lack of development resulting in the decline in the fabric of the building, the lack of communication and the time taken to start the development.

“The owner assured the meeting that he is committed to developing the building and is in negotiations with contractors to start demolishing the new part of the building, and is hopeful there will be a schedule of work in place by the end of the year.”

And concluded: “All present are confident the company have now engaged and will continue to engage with the council and the wider public, the security of the building will be maintained, any anti-social behaviour will be addressed by the police, a timescale for progress has been provided, there are no impediments to the development.”

Private family matters and cashflow issues were said the be behind delays in getting the project off the ground.

MP Luke Graham, who was present at the meeting, said: “Since the public meetings over the summer I have been working alongside the council to put pressure on the developer to fulfill their obligations to Alloa.

"Greenfield House is a landmark development and an important part of the town – I look forward to work commencing in the new year and the development being completed within promised timelines.”

MSP Keith Brown, whose representative Councillor Ellen Forson also attended, added: “Following recent meetings which raised concerns over the current status of Greenfield House, I am pleased that productive discussions are now ongoing in relation to the agreed development of the property, and I am more than happy to continue to work with all parties involved to ensure a positive resolution the matter.”