Plans could bring major jobs boost
Opponents call for decision from Scottish Government
A new report claims controversial plans for Airthrey Kerse could provide the area with a significant jobs boost.
Amid strong opposition from locals, Graham’s the Family Dairy and Mactaggart & Mickel’s plan 600 new homes on the site between Bridge of Allan and Stirling, which will help fund a new £30million national dairy processing and development centre at Craigforth.
The companies have this week published a new economic impact assessment, updating earlier studies.
It emphasises the economic importance of their plans against a background of the challenge posed by Brexit, potential created by the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Deal and opportunities in the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy.
The report says the proposals would generate an additional 825 new, full-time jobs, equivalent to an annual £37.8m boost to the Scottish economy. Taking into account the existing dairy business this would rise to £65.3m and 1,425 jobs once operational.
The new assessment shows the project will deliver:
* 550 new on-site jobs at the dairy, including 50 apprenticeships, in addition to the existing workforce of 400 in Stirling;
* Support an estimated further 475 wider offsite jobs once fully operational;
* Provide £1.45m per annum additional Council Tax from the new homes.
Graham’s managing director Robert Graham said: “This new assessment shows beyond doubt the transformational impact our project could have, and the regional and national economic benefit it will deliver.
“It comes at a critical time for both the Scottish economy and for Stirling, where the significant housing shortfall impacts on communities’ access to affordable, sustainable homes.”
Andrew Mickel, Mactaggart and Mickel group director said the scheme would create 88 fulltime jobs in the construction phase, adding: “We propose to build a brand new community with 600 new homes, including much-needed affordable homes, a new primary school, a neighbourhood centre and a wealth of fantastic amenities.”
Stirling councillors turned down the Airthrey Kerse application on March 23, 2016 on grounds the houses would be on an area of greenbelt land and concerns about flooding and other issues. Around 450 letters of objection were lodged to the homes plans.
However, Graham’s and joint applicants Mactaggart and Mickel Homes, lodged an appeal to the Scottish Government just weeks later. Holyrood’s planning and environment appeals division forwarded their recommendation to Scottish ministers for a final determination on June 13 last year but a final decision is still said to be “under consideration”.
Graham’s were dealt a blow earlier this year when a bid to have the Airthrey Kerse site earmarked for housing in the area’s Local Development Plan was turned down following a separate inquiry in which the reporter concluded adverse effects on the green belt and merging of Causewayhead and Bridge of Allan outweighed the benefits of allocating the site for development.
The company insist they remain committed to the proposed development of the land, however critics appear to be just as stoic.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “Graham’s continue to conflate their plans for a dairy expansion at Kildean with a misguided application for a vast housing development that has been comprehensively rejected through the Local Development Plan process and Stirling Council.
“I have asked once again the Planning Minister Kevin Stewart why the decision remains in limbo.
“As we saw with Park of Keir, the Scottish Government has form in bypassing democratic plans and decisions in Stirling.
“I hope a decision to reject this application can finally be made.”
Alasdair Tollemache, Green Councillor for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, added: “The decision-making process on the proposed Airthrey Kerse development has become very protracted.
“Everyone in the community wants an answer. It’s time for the Scottish Government to stop prevaricating and let the people of Bridge of Allan know now.”
The Scottish Government’s planning and environment appeals division confirmed earlier this year that the reporter handling the appeal had completed the final report and made recommendations, however since then there has been no indication of when a final decision will be announced.