Our Bridge of Allan – Local Place Plan

Our Bridge of Allan Local Place Plan helps us express our aspirations for the community we live in and is used to influence local planning policy set by Stirling Council through the Local Development Plan (LDP).

The Local Place Plan prepared by volunteers on the Community Council is now available to download from this link.

Bridge of Allan Community Council wants to take this opportunity to thank the community, and community organisations, who have participated in the development process for this Local Place Plan over the last 18 months. In particular we want to thank Discover Bridge of Allan, our local Development Trust, who we have worked jointly with on the community engagement which informs this plan and the local Community Action Plan.

We believe this ‘Our Bridge of Allan’ plan reflects the views and opinions shared by the community of Bridge of Allan during a range of engagement exercises, and recognise that the plan only exists thanks to the commitment and passion of those who live, work in, or visit, Bridge of Allan.

This Local Place Plan was developed by a small sub group of Community Council members and board members from Discover Bridge of Allan. This group dedicated themselves to the creation of a focused plan which reflects community aspiration, an exercise which has run for more than a year and required a significant time commitment.

The plan has been developed wholly by volunteers with no external funding or technical support, and is a huge credit to those volunteers.

Drumbrae Forest Events in May 2026

We have received this notification from the Drumbrae Forest Community Ranger  regarding upcoming events in May:

Thurs 7th May – 6.30-8pm Guided evening walk

Join Community Ranger, Julie Wilson from the University of Edinburgh for a free guided walk around Drumbrae, where the university is developing new woodland to boost biodiversity and capture carbon as part of the Forest and Peatland Programme. During this walk you will learn more about our woodland creation aims, local nature and ecology, archaeology and how to get involved through volunteering and citizen science. As part of the guided walk we will do some basic tree identification. We will be walking on a variety of terrain including surfaced paths, grassy paths and rough / uneven ground.

For more information and to book a space on the guided walk please visit: https://w2.irm.ed.ac.uk/ecofest-walk

The full programme of the Dunblane EcoFest is on their website: https://ecofestdunblane.com/

Sat 30th May – 7am-10am, Bird Survey

Join us for our first annual bird survey at Drumbrae. We will be splitting into small groups to listen and look for bird species in some different areas across Drumbrae. The survey will involve walking to a survey location and remaining at that location for a set period of time and recording what species you see and hear. This event is suitable for those with bird identification skills. You don’t need to be an expert to take part, but this event is not suitable for a complete beginner. To book a space visit: edin.ac/fpp-volunteer

For dates of future summer events see this poster:

Sunnylaw Community Greenspace Update / Spiral Event

The Sunnylaw Community Greenspace management group continues to work towards improving the biodiversity of the site whilst retaining it’s use for recreation and as a public amenity. The grass has had a first cut of the season. This will be followed by regular cuts of paths and two recreation area thoughout the growing season. It is intended to allow long grass to grow elsewhere, as well as the wildflower areas, which will be cut again at the end of the summer. These provide a wider variety of plants which creates a better habitat for insects, bats and birds ,and also providing climate mitigation services.

  • Sponsored benches are being planned.
  • The Spiral is joining in World Labyrinth Day on Sat 2nd May at 1pm (poster below)
  • We have been approached by Scotland’s Open Gardens to participate in Bridge of Allan’s event on 31st May, 1-4pm. We will be highlighting our biodiversity plans.
  • We have a noticeboard on Sunnylaw Road which we keep updated, it has a map of the site.
  • We rely on donations to fund the mowing and insurance costs. Donations can be made to Discover Bridge of Alan on their website, and it is possible to specify the donation is for Sunnylaw.
World Labyrinth Day 2026-2

Motorists urged to be vigilant to car park QR code scams

Stirling Council have issued this warning regarding QR codes on parking machines:

Motorists urged to be vigilant to car park QR code scams

Stirling Council is aware of reports that motorists in the area have scanned a QR code and been taken to a website that has charged varying excessive fees for parking, a scam that has been targeting drivers across the country.

 All of the council’s parking machines in Stirling have been inspected. Any stickers found have been removed. Staff will continue to monitor the machines and will remove any new stickers.

No QR code should be scanned for any of Stirling Council’s official parking related apps. Anyone who sees a QR code in a Stirling Council car park can report it to be removed by emailing info@stirling.gov.uk or by calling 01786 404040. 

Parking machines in Stirling take payment via card, coin, contactless or the RingGo app which can be downloaded via the Apple or Android Store. 

The council’s only online provider, RingGo, will never ask drivers to scan a QR code to pay for parking. Additional information on protecting yourself from scams is available via their website: myringgo.co.uk.

Anyone who has used a QR code at a Council owned car park is encouraged to contact their bank, report it to Police Scotland on 101 and report to Trading Standards via Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

Community Parking Management Plans consultation

We have received this communication from Stirling Council:

Stirling Council are reviewing how parking works across our area to make sure it supports residents, businesses, and visitors while encouraging more sustainable ways to travel. The Community Parking Management Plans consultation is your opportunity to share your views on how parking is provided, managed, and priced.

Stirling Council would like your feedback on several key areas:

  • Parking prices – whether current charges are fair and how pricing could be used to balance demand and costs.

  • Availability of spaces – your experience finding parking in different areas and times, and whether supply meets local needs.

  • On-street or off-street parking – your preferences and how different types of parking affect convenience, safety, and local communities.

  • Encouraging alternative travel choices – what would help you use park and ride facilities, public transport, cycling, or walking more often.

  • Using parking resources efficiently – ideas for making better use of existing spaces, such as shared parking, smarter information, or improved signage.

Your input will help shape future parking plans and ensure that any changes reflect the priorities of the people who live, work, and travel here. You can take part in the consultation by clicking the link below:

Community Parking Management Consultation

The closing date to respond to the consultation is Sunday 10th May.

If you have any difficulties with the survey, or have any further questions, you can contact us at insights@stirling.gov.uk.

Mobile Vaccination service, Thurs 30th April 2026

We have received this from the Immunisation Team at Stirling Community Hospital 

“Scottish Ambulance service mobile vaccination unit will be visiting to offer anyone who is eligible their Spring booster covid Vaccination, we will also have Shingles, pneumococcal and RSV vaccination to whoever may be eligible. Please see NHS inform to find any information you may require. The SAS vehicle will attend Springkerse Homeless unit on Thursday 30th April 2026 From 1330-1530pm.

 No appointment required. 

 Andrea Murray, Senior Staff Nurse, Immunisation Team , Stirling Community Hospital” 

 

Underage Drinking Survey

We have received details of this campaign about underage drinking and a survey:

Details of the campaign are here: https://www.communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk/post/new-local-partnershuip-that-will-highlight-the-risks-of-underage-drinking-launches-in-bridge-of-allan-and-dunblane

Do you stay in Dublane or the Bridge of Allan? If so, then please take a few minutes to complete our residents’ survey and tell us about young people drinking alcohol in your area. The survey can be completed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NNQVC69

Survey Leaflets Residents survey - Dunblane and the Bridge of Allan

 

Garden Waste Recycling Permits Reminder

Stirling council have provided this announcement re Garden Waste Recycling:

Stirling residents can apply for their 2026/27 annual Garden Waste Recycling Permit

 The new permits will come into effect on 13 April, with councillors confirming at this year’s budget-setting meeting last Thursday (26 Feb) that the permit will rise by £8 to £60.

The price of a permit for Stirling Council residents remains in line with many other local authorities in Scotland, averaging at £2.30 per uplift.

 The permit allows residents to have garden waste collected in the same bin as their food waste every two weeks. Those who do not purchase a permit will still have food waste collected in the brown bin, for free, every two weeks.

 More than 19,000 were purchased last year, and details of how to register and pay for the permit are available on our website.

 Some households, including those in receipt of a council tax reduction, will receive the permit for free as part of a concession scheme. The Council will send out these permits to anyone eligible by 13 April 2026.

 Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero committee, Cllr Alasdair Tollemache, said: “The ongoing challenging financial climate for local government was reflected when we recently set the budget for 2026-27.

 Increasing the price of garden waste permits was a difficult but necessary decision that enables us to continue collecting garden waste, which is not a statutory service, at a time of increasing costs and other budgetary pressures. 

 Through our concession scheme, around 7,000 householders across Stirling will continue to be entitled to free permits and will receive them directly in the post.”

 The cost of a permit remains the same regardless of when it is bought, so residents are encouraged to purchase as early as possible to ensure they get maximum benefit.

 Permits purchased before 28 March 2026 will be delivered before the service starts. Any orders after 28 March 2026 are not guaranteed to arrive before 13 April 2026

For further details, visit: www.stirling.gov.uk/gardenwaste.

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