New homes bid in village

Controversial site

Plans have been lodged to build more than 30 houses on a controversial site in Kippen.

Dawn Homes Ltd have submitted an application to Stirling Council planners for a 31-house development on land south east of Burngreen off Castlehill Loan.

The square-shaped site of around four acres is on the southern edge of the village with views over land to the north. It is identified in the Stirling Local Development Plan as being capable of sustaining 31 dwellings.

A total of 22 private and nine affordable homes are being proposed including two-storey cottage flats, three types of semi-detached, and seven detached house types.

Last year Cala Homes withdrew an application for around 30 homes on the site after it drew considerable objection from locals, with the local community council raising a number of issues including accessibility to the site and potential flooding.

Dawn Homes say the site is currently “unimproved grassland”, surrounded by post and wire fencing with broken vegetation of shrubs and trees.

To the east of the site there is a narrow water course ravine, while the local football ground and pavilion are to the south and farmland to the west.

In a submission to planners, Dawn Homes’ architects Jewitt & Wilkie said: “The character and amenity is a matter of discussion as the immediate/adjoining area is a mixture of relatively modern semi-detached and terraced houses with cul-de-sac access, providing narrow amenity strips of land to accommodate the core path network.

“The existing surrounding houses cannot really be identified as being of ‘rural style’, however, the proposed houses match and complement the edges and links to the surrounding spaces, which we feel has not been appreciated in the overview of the proposals.

“The proposed residential development has been the subject of a clear, logical and well considered design process. The site is well connected and permeable. The footpath links will ensure the development is accessible to a bus stop as well as being within easy walking distance of a wide range of local amenities.

“It will transform an open area of ground into a high-quality residential development that will stand confidently within its surroundings and enhance the local neighbourhood.”