Retirement hub plans submitted
Sheltered housing alongside take-away units
Developers have lodged plans to turn the Orchard House site near Raploch into sheltered housing, shops and takeaway units.
Caledon/TDL have submitted an application to Stirling Council for 48 one- and two-bed sheltered flats on the site for people aged 60 and over, with 36 parking spaces.
However, also included are three units - two for food and drink and hot food takeaway with the third either for the same or for a shop, financial services office, creche or gym.
The developers say the site is ideally suited for sheltered “retirement” housing - which would be operated by McCarthy and Stone - being close to the city centre, public transport and amenities and two supermarkets.
Access to the Orchard House Health Centre from Back o’Hill Road will be maintained.
Developers say consultation in the run up to the application being lodged showed 67 per cent of respondents in support of the development.
Concerns were raised, however, about the overall impact the development would have on an already busy area of Stirling including traffic noise and increased parking on Union Street.
Other issues included the future of pathways cutting across the site and the loss of a “considerable amount” of greenspace.
In their response, agents for the developers said: “The applicants have commissioned transportation consultants to undertake a full transport assessment which will examine existing and proposed levels of traffic and the potential impacts of the development on the road network. It will also fully assess the level of parking proposed. The applicants will work with the council to ensure any potential impacts can be suitably mitigated.”
They also outline pedestrian links, adding: “Overall the proposed masterplan provides enhanced connectivity through this site and is also set within attractive structured landscaping.
“Consequently those members of the public who currently use the small section of footpath at Lower Bridge Street will not be adversely affected by the development on this section of the application site and the loss of the existing footpath.
“The Raploch Design Guide, which sets out the development framework for the redevelopment of the Raploch area including the application site, identifies numerous areas of open green space within the immediate and surrounding area which are suitable for active community use. This site is not identified as one such area.
“The development of this site for specialist housing for the elderly offers substantial social, economic and environmental benefits while addressing an identified housing need.
“Both the sheltered housing and the commercial development will include a comprehensive high quality landscaping scheme which will also help to mitigate any perceived loss of amenity space.”
NHS Forth Valley and Raploch Urban Regeneration Company announced in March 2015, moves to market the land. Part of it had earlier been cleared having been the site of a facility for mainly mental health and allied services.