COUNCIL chiefs have agreed to spend nearly £900,000 to rebuild a historic clocktower in Scottish city after it was knocked down without warning last year.
The Christie Clock had stood in Stirling for more than 100 years but was found to be unstable when it was inspected by structural engineers in September last year.
Despite efforts to initially just remove the crown of the landmark, the pillar also had to be removed due to a lack of stability, the council said.
Locals were furious over the move, claiming it was removed overnight without warning, and then-Stirling MP demanded answers from the council leader over the “botched restoration”.
But now councillors have approved a plan by conservation experts that would reinstate the Christie Clock and retain as much of the original stonework as possible.
The C-listed clock tower was erected in 1906 in memory of George Christie, who was Provost of the Royal Burgh of Stirling from 1870 to 1879.
Conservation experts have drawn up a delivery programme that would see a rebuild in three phases, with the potential for completion by October 2026. Stirling Council committed to its reinstatement in October last year.
A report in March estimated the cost of restoration to be £873,460.
Following work to identify the most cost-effective proposals, councillors have agreed to allocate funding to the project.
Stirling Council depute leader Gerry McGarvey said: "We appreciate the strength of feeling about what happened to this much-loved clock.
"It was incredibly difficult situation for everyone, but there was general consensus about honouring our commitment to the people of Stirling.
"Not everyone will agree with our decision at a time when Stirling Council, like other local authorities, faces a significant budget shortfall."
The council must now apply for retrospective listed building consent for the previous demolition of the clock and planning permission for the reconstruction.
