Motorhome site approved

Proposals for a motorhome sales business on a flood plain site at Craigforth have been unanimously backed by members of Stirling Council’s planning panel.

Perth-based family business Scotmotorhomes, who want to expand into the Stirling area, have earmarked a field next to Dobbies Garden Centre and the Stirling travelling people site close to the River Forth.

The company – which offers a range of new and second-hand motorhomes and camper vans for sale, parts and accessories and a motorhome and campervan hire division – told council planners it was willing to take the risk that their proposed business was likely to be flooded at some point.

Caravans won’t be catered for as they would be harder to evacuate from the site in a flood. Council planners had recommended refusal of the application.

Given the land is classed as medium to high risk and SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) had objected to the proposal, the application may still have to be referred to Scottish Ministers for a final decision despite the panel’s approval last week.

Scotmotorhomes say the operation would create up to 15 full-time jobs including sales staff, administrative, engineers/mechanics, site maintenance and cleaning and also offer a holiday site for hire customers and others with a motorhome/ campervan visiting the Stirling area.

The sales site buildings will be “floodable” and designed to dry out quickly, according to the company.