by Communications TEAM | Sep 26, 2021 | announcement, Planning
If you had, like us, commented on the Airthrey Kerse planning application in the past, you may have received a letter about the next steps in the appeal process. In order to inform their decision on the appeal the Reporter has identified that additional information is required.
The information required relates to Housing Land Supply and Environmental information on Flood Risk and Transport. The applicants have been asked to submit these updated Flood Risk Assessments and Transport reports and this could take some time.
A hearing or inquiry session is now being scheduled on the Housing Land Supply aspect, although no dates have yet been set. This hearing will be open to the Public on a viewing only basis, however submissions can still be made to the Reporter providing it is NEW information. The Community Council will not be participating in the Housing Land Supply session as we have no new information to contribute. However, both Bridge of Allan and Causewayhead Community Councils will be participating in relation to the flooding and transportation matters.
All the documents relating to the case can be seen here on the DPEA website
by Communications TEAM | Aug 21, 2021 | announcement, Current Issues, Planning
The team behind a planning application for a new care home on Henderson Street met with the Community Community Council on the 28th of July to present the new plans and their approach to the new development. They were kind enough to allow us to record this to share with the wider community.
After the presentation there was some discussion as we had questions about parking, garden space, footprint and style of the building.
Design - Style and Scale
Design doesn’t appear to be in-keeping with the Victorian aesthetic of the area, eg not continuing the slate roof as used in the old hotel. Glass atrium and protruding fins also seem to be a modern style and L shape of development will impact on the view along Henderson Street
The architect showed the streetscape view and indicated that the intention is to pick up the ‘rhythm’ established by the pattern between glass and wall on the ground and first floors. The vertical lines are to pick up the features of the chimneys on the existing buildings and there is a challenge to fit in with such an eclectic mix of buildings already on Henderson Street. It is the intention to design a building of ‘our age’ and not to copy the prestige of the existing villa. The grey cladding could be textured to match the slate, however there may be commercial constraints in this regard and the reason it can’t be slate is because the roof is vertical and not sloped in order to allow for the third storey.
Then fins are modern, however it is deemed to be an architectural statement. The hotel sits way back from the building line and the new building will sit even further back to allow for more green space in front of the villa.
The scale of the development was mentioned during the presentation, how will it be addressed?
The current proposals address all issues the planners levelled at the initial designs, for example the plan was originally 70 beds now reduced to 60 and the scale concern is addressed by keeping the two buildings visually separate.
Parking
Managing parking demands has been a problem in BOA – this is a 60-bed premises with plans only for 19 spaces with 2 disabled. Is this adequate given the number of staff and where are they likely to park?
Response: Linda Meston confirmed that 20-24 staff members may be present at full capacity however, based on experiences in other homes, no more than a handful of employee vehicles are anticipated to be parked on the site. This would allow approx. 15 spaces for visitors, again based on experience this is not expected to be reached because people can visit at any time and their numbers are often sadly low.
Rick also advised that the working patterns are split over three shifts and the parking allocation is commensurate with Stirling Council’s guidelines. There will be a green travel plan and a transport & access statement with the planning application explaining how the applicant intends to meet the expected standards – there will be strict controls around deliveries for example.
Inclusion of existing buildings
How will the two existing buildings be incorporated? Are there plans to demolish parts or will the whole of 105 be removed?
Response: Murray confirmed that 105 is beyond repair given the structural reports, the façade of 103 will be retained however the rear will be altered to re-instate the original building by removing the additions / extensions that have been added over the years. This is important as the desire is to retain the listed building and ‘wrap’ the new building around it so it is less prominent. The new build elements on either side are set back to give the villa pride of place.
Garden and Green Space
There doesn’t appear to be much outside space, and is it only accessible to those on the ground floor?
Murray indicated that the ground floor rooms will have access to their own private garden space and communal green spaces will be established on the east wing.
Linda also confirmed that the CGI imagery is not indicative of the gardens, and these will be more fully landscaped in a separate document to be submitted with the planning application. Whilst residents will always be encouraged to go outside but there is an expectation that many people who will reside in the building are likely to be end-of-life or are otherwise reluctant to go outside.
Drainage
Water seeping down the hill has been a problem at other properties on the street, how is this potential concern around draining and hydrology being addressed?
Response: Derek has walked the site and observed no evidence of ground water or erosion from the higher sites. The groundworks involved will include protections as necessary; drainage calculations are comprehensive, and the design process requires input from engineers as well as compliance with regulations.
Integration with the Community
It was mentioned that the care home would be accessible to the community; can this be clarified for example, would they consider supporting the local Changing Places toilet project.
Linda indicated that they would be open to discussions, however, need to be mindful of the care inspectorate requirements.
Our planning lead Iain consolidated our comments and sent these back to the development team.
We do feel that the revised proposal is an improvement and we are pleased to see that the Ivy building is to be retained. We would support Historic Environment Scotland in any comments they may have regarding the demolition of 105 Henderson Street.
Notwithstanding the above, we do still have a small number of concerns about the proposal. The first relates to the modern appearance of the proposed building. We feel that this is not in keeping with the conservation area and wider setting on Bridge of Allan‘s main street. In particular, the fins that we understand have been included to reflect the shape of adjacent chimney stacks, actually make the building appear more contemporary.
In a similar vein, it is our opinion that the use of cladding instead of slates for the section of the third floor which is meant to look like roofing is inappropriate. These sections of the third floor appear boxlike in comparison to the pitched roof of the existing Ivy building. We are not confident that the two will sit side-by-side harmoniously.
Finally, we feel that the overall proposal represents overdevelopment of the site. We would argue that this level of density is not in keeping with neighbouring properties and the wider conservation area.
Planning Lead
The planning application is curently live on the Stirling Council Planning Portal with the reference 21/00703/FUL. Here you can see all the designs, drawings and reports associated with the application. Leaflets are also being delivered inviting your thoughs and comments to be sent to David david@davidcoutts.scot or by phone 07483812259
by Communications TEAM | Jul 15, 2021 | announcement, Planning
All business owners, community group leaders and those representing schools and clubs in the village are invited to a meeting at The Meadowpark Pub and Kitchen on 20th July* to shape plans for a group supporting investment in, and promotion of, the village.
Following the recent work to support the National Wallace Monument local economic development and tourism plans, we aim to establish a community led group, with representation from our diverse community – and we need your views and ideas to shape the proposal.
Bridge of Allan is recognised for its exciting independent businesses, it’s excellent food and drink offer and as a great place to live, work and visit. We need your support to shape our community tourism and business plan
At the meeting you can shape plans for a community interest company that is being formed to represent our village as a fabulous place to visit, live, work and study. Join us at The Meadowpark Pub and Kitchen marquee on the 20th July 1800 hrs – 1900 hrs.
To ensure we manage numbers to be COVID compliant, please RSVP to jmeiklebland@hotmail.com
* an additional meeting date of 29th July has been set for those who cannot make the 20th July. Please get in touch about attending either date.
by Communications TEAM | Jul 1, 2021 | announcement, Current Issues, Planning
On 24th June Stirling Council announced that they have received the signed Section 75 agreement from the applicant in relation to the Park of Keir Development.
For background to this planning application the 2015 proposal and all associated documents are available via the Stirling Council Planning Portal, including an objection on behalf of the Community Council. The application for a tennis and golf center, sports pitches and housing on the Greenbelt between Bridge of Allan and Dunblane was refused by the Council. The applicant appealed. In December 2016 a reporter appointed by the Scottish Government to review the appeal recommended that the appeal be dismissed and permission refused for the development. See the full report here.
However in 2017 Scottish Ministers decided in favour of the development and issued a Notice of Intention to approve the development subject to conditions. See this letter for details of the conditions requested and reasons for the conditions being placed.
Numerous extensions were granted to the applicant to consider and accept the conditions with a deadline of June 30th to agree to the terms. Negotiations have taken place between Stirling Council and the applicant and it is not clear what the final conditions that have been agreed are.
Bridge of Allan Community Council, Dunblane Community Council and Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion are calling for transparency, to be able to see the agreement and observe the forthcoming discussion. Dunblane Community Council have written to Stirling Council and we support their comments. We are concerned that the conditions have been watered down against the interests of the community, and that the proposed development has altered from the original application.
Our local MSPs Mark Ruskell and Alexander Stewart have spoken out about the development, asking for the proposal to be rejected (Stirling Observer 24.06.2021). Through the support of our local Councilors we have requested that the documents be made public to allow for public scrutiny and that the planning discussion, due to be held on 3rd August, also be held in a public forum. However due to past experience we do not hold out much hope. Contact your local representatives to let them know your views.
by Communications TEAM | Jan 30, 2021 | announcement, Current Issues, Planning
We are hosting a public Zoom Webinar with D.M Hall and Allanwater Homes to address the community’s queries about the application. The meeting will be on Tuesday 2nd February at 7pm, the meeting details are below.
We have a panel of residents who have summarised the main questions and concerns and will deliver these to the developers. Any follow up questions, sparked by the discussion can be typed into the Q&A/chat function and these will be collated and then passed onto the developer. We will then publish any responses that we receive from the developer on our website and social media.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Feb 2, 2021 07:00 PM London
Topic: Blairforkie Planning Consultation
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86237523539?pwd=T1I0c3NPUk1HSGdmZUlzZmtQMGJpdz09
Passcode: 808131
by Communications TEAM | Dec 9, 2020 | announcement, Planning
We are sharing with you information recieved from DM Hall regarding the proposed development at Blairforkie Drive. This is your chance to comment on the proposed plans. You can view the plans, complete a feedback questionnaire, attend the online session or email Paul directly.
On 19th October 2020, Allanwater Homes submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN-2020-013) to Stirling Council for the potential development of land at Blairforkie Drive, Bridge of Allan.
The proposal is for residential development, with associated ground re-modelling, new and altered roads, new and altered footpaths, related infrastructure, including foul and surface water drainage, and landscaping. The final extent of development and number of homes proposed will depend on pre-application consultation and site appraisals.
Please find below the details for the public consultation. The indicative proposals and information is available online from 09 December 2020 at http://www.blairforkie.co.uk/
- Newspaper Advert Date and Event Start Date: 09 December 2020
- Live Public Event Date: 13 January 2021
- Live Public Event Time: 4pm – 6pm
- Closing date for comments: 23 January 2021
If you have any comments on the pre-application consultation proposals please submit them by 23 January 2021 by email to: paul.houghton@dmhall.co.uk or by post to Paul Houghton, DMHall, The Mill, Station Road, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4JS.
