Social housing scheme agreed
Go-ahead for 35-home project in St Ninians
New homes are set to be built in St Ninians despite some concerns over traffic congestion and parking.
Stirling Council has approved the 35-home, two-storey social housing development proposal by Forth Housing Association at Earlsburn Avenue, Gateside Road and Howlands Road.
Five letters were submitted raising concerns with the density of the development and need for green space, likely increase in the number of vehicles accessing Glasgow Road from Barnsdale Road at an already busy junction and parking.
While taking a “neutral” stance on the proposal, among requests from Borestone Community Council were for construction work to adhere to working hours limits and that site staff stick to a parking zone to ensure they did not create congestion in the street. They had also voiced concerns over road safety, parking and pedestrian access.
Council planners said, however: “The applicants submitted a transport statement and Stirling Council roads transport were consulted on the application and the statement concluding there was no objection to the proposals.
“The response includes that a development of the scale proposed carries a car parking requirement of 57 spaces (41 allocated and 16 visitor). The applicant proposes 49 spaces (27 allocated and 22 unallocated/visitor), which is a shortfall in provision. To justify the reduced car parking the applicant has carried out a number of parking surveys to help determine a suitable level of provision for the development. This concluded that there is spare car parking capacity within the immediate area and wider areas to cater for any overspill. Given this, the parking provision is accepted.
“Landscaping is part of the proposals.”
An existing footway around the perimeter of the site (Howlands Road and Gateside Road) is to be upgraded as part of the conditions of approval, with all works being carried out to the planning authority’s specification. This will likely include a full footway reconstruction and the renewing of existing kerb lines and street lighting columns where appropriate.
Mitigation methods are to be implemented to prevent the effects of dust on neighbouring properties.
Council planners added: “This site was discussed with the local community as part of the St Ninians Framework Document.
“It is within a mixed use area and surround the site there is existing low rise housing.
“The site previously contained three storey residential flats that were demolished some years ago and is surrounded by open space to the south on Gateside Road, two storey housing opposite on Howlands Road and two storey housing on Earlsburn Avenue.’’