A building in Kirkintilloch town centre, which has lain derelict since 2007, is to be demolished and replaced by housing, it has been announced.

East Dunbartonshire Council recently purchased the former Co-op site after having secured £200,000 from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

An agreement between the council and the former landowner of the site was recently reached, and last week members of the Policy and resources team said the building should be demolished. They added that the site should be given to the Trust Housing Association, which would then create 15 new affordable one- and two-bedroom flats in its place.

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It is understood a planning application for the site has already been submitted. If approved, work on the development would commence in the summer or autumn of 2015.

Welcoming the proposals, Council Leader Rhondda Geekie said: "This is terrific news for Townhead and the wider town centre. It has been a long-held aspiration of this Council – as well as residents, businesses and visitors – to take action to address the state of the former Co-op building.

"However, until recently, the Council's hands were tied as we did not own the site. I am delighted to say that this building – which has been a blight in the town centre for so long – will be demolished and replaced with much-needed housing.

"This will increase the town's affordable housing capacity, add to the sustainability and vibrancy of the town centre, and boost the market for existing and future retail and leisure outlets."

(JP/CD)