School site’s included
A site near Buchlyvie Primary School and the village health centre is to be included in the Local Development Plan.
While the land south of Fisher Place had been the subject of some access concerns because of a wildlife garden, there had been some support for development including a nine-signature petition.
Allocating the site for 15 homes, the reporter said:“I find that all parties appear to agree the site is an The Park of Keir development, backed by Judy Murray, has already been controversially approved by Scottish Ministers but has failed to find favour with the Local Development Plan reporter. Going against the recommendation of an independent reporter to reject the planning application for a hotel, tennis centre and luxury homes, Scottish Minister for Planning Kevin Stewart approved the application for the £40 million development on green belt between Dunbland and Bridge of Allan - including a hotel, tennis centre, museum and luxury homes - in August. Now the Scottish Government reporter for the LDP review has gone against the Ministers’ decision by rejecting a bid by appropriate one for development in the village, subject to a satisfactory resolution of any access issues.
“I note the concerns expressed by the community council in relation to the potential impact an access could have on the wildlife garden and parking facilities at the health centre and primary school, but consider that such issues could be addressed.
“The access to this site appears to be in the control of the council and I consider that 11 years to reach a satisfactory developers Park of Keir Partners to have the site included in the Local Development Plan.
While the opinion does not override the Minister’s approval of the application, the LDP reporter said: “Development of this area would act to bisect the green belt between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan. It would result in a change from a rural setting to a suburban one and ‘blur’ the boundaries between the two settlements.”
The Barbush site in Dunblane meanwhile - which had been undeveloped after being earmarked several years ago for retail and commercial use, including a supermarket - has been re-allocated for housing in the reviewed LDP.
While some representations had been made during the process, suggesting it would lead to a shortage of opportunities for retail expansion in the town, the reporter said he had been shown no evidence that would be the case or of an unmet demand for retail or office space.
He added: “The site at Barbush provides the opportunity to create new affordable homes within the area. This objective is supported by solution to the issue is potentially an overconservative approach to delivering homes in the village.
“Apart from access, there appear to be no other matters which would have an impact on the effectiveness of the site.”
The reporter rejected a request that land at Ballamenoch to the east of the village be included, agreeing with Stirling Council planners that there was insufficient information for a proper assessment. Dunblane Community Council.
“The site is some distance from the local primary and secondary schools however I do not consider the distances to be so great as to be a barrier to the suitability of the site.”
Objectors to a controversial bid by Allanwater Developments to develop land at Holmehill in Dunblane were given a boost after the company’s bid to have the site allocation in the LDP altered failed. The firm had wanted more weight given to the fact that a former mansion house once stood on the site and suggested that developmemnt could improve public access.
The reporter said: “The area is obviously valued as greenspace that can easily be accessed from the town centre. I note the paths across the site form part of the Core Path Network.
“Given the site’s importance within the landscape and value as an open space, I do not consider it appropriate to allocate it for development or to link management of the area to its future development. In any case, the proposed local plan already includes a policy that would allow funding for open spaces to be sought, without the need to tie this to development.”