THE site of a former mill in Alva could be redeveloped into social housing if plans are given the nod at Clackmannanshire Council this week.

Little remains of the original Glentana Mill complex wedged in between the Cochrane and Johnstone parks and the current building could be demolished to potentially make way for houses suitable for older people.

Built in 1873 as the Dalmore Works and extended a few years later, the mill was owned by the Wilson Brothers, producing shawls, tweeds and tailor-made ladies wear.

The formerly large complex came with a brick chimney, weaving sheds and an engine house.

What remains today used to be a two storey mill building which was partly rebuilt in 1895 after a storm.

Further extensions came in 1912 and 1916.

However, a fire destroyed the main mill building in 1941 – it was then rebuilt with a single storey.

The mill remained in industrial use around 1979, around which time it produced scarves, rugs and blankets in mohair and cashmere.

The associated mill infrastructure, along with the chimney, were demolished in 1993 and largely replaced by a car park.

The last tenants were uniform and work clothing suppliers Scotcrest, who left in January this year to relocate into the former Alva CAP.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) were called in twice in the past decade to see if the building should be listed for special architectural or historic interest.

Council papers said: “HES confirm that in 2010 the building was not found to meet the criteria for listing.

“HES confirmed again on August 28, 2019 that they have decided not to list the building, largely due to it being a fragmentary remnant of a once larger mill complex and not representative of its industrial building type; it having had significant alterations including the loss of much of its original fabric and its setting being substantially altered.”

The council’s Local Development Plan considers the land viable for development and it is said to be “an ideal site for elderly/specialist housing”.

The documents added: “It is not considered viable for the property to be brought back in to productive use and there has been no recent development interest for the site, nor any viable interest for the buildings re-use given its condition and significant cost implications.”