A revised application for phase one of the South Stirling Gateway development has been approved by Stirling Council planners.
Persimmon Homes was granted detailed planning consent for the development, between Pirnhall and Bannockburn, at a meeting of the council’s planning and regulation panel in October 2023.
The panel agreed at a recent meeting to a revised application that will see phase one increased from 108 homes (83 market houses and 25 affordable houses) to 150 homes (114 market, 36 affordable).
The proposed primary school site has also been relocated further west of the development, which extends to almost 40 hectares.
The 114 market homes are a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes and one and two bedroom flats, with the flats accounting for around 50 per cent of the homes to be constructed in phase one on the development site, which includes the former Brucefield Family Golf Centre and Corbiewood Stadium.
The 36 affordable homes, which will be provided in one cluster, will comprise of two-bedroom flats as well as two, three and four-bedroom terraced, bungalows and semi-detached houses.
At the panel meeting, Councillor Danny Gibson said he was surprised there wasn’t a roundabout arrangement in and out of the site given the volume of traffic using the A91 and also the existence of another junction not far from the site, saying it seemed to be a “missed opportunity”.
He also expressed a desire to see a park or play area near the new school to maximise opportunities for activities within and outwith the school term.
Officers said the road arrangements had already been approved by the panel in 2023 as part of a previous planning stage and had been deemed to be the most appropriate scheme for entry and exit of the site.
In terms of open space the officers said there was a sizeable village green area and that the MUGA (multi use games area) was a “fantastic addition”. A neighbourhood play area was also another space overlooked by the new homes.
A council spokesperson said later: “As part of its commitment to biodiversity, the developer will also introduce bee bricks and hedgehog highways, with landscaping, amenity grassland and a village green also part of the site.
“South Stirling Gateway is expected to deliver around 800 energy efficient homes over several phases, with almost 200 allocated for affordable housing.
“It is a key strategic development for Stirling Council and is expected to help deliver economic growth across the area, as well as increasing access to affordable housing.
“Persimmon Homes was granted permission in principle for the site in June 2020 and the developer has also committed £10million towards a new primary school and secondary school provision and more than £500,000 to support local healthcare facilities.
“The major development will also include new playparks and open public spaces; major road upgrades, including new junctions on the A91 and A872; active travel routes; a park and ride facility and provision for local retail operators. It is expected to lead to new construction jobs, including apprenticeship opportunities for local young people.”