House hope of tree farmer
Plan for Christmas woodland site
A Christmas tree farmer in Buchlyvie has planning permission for a house on his own wish list this year.
Euan Duff has submitted an application to Stirling Council planners for land 205 metres east of Lower Balwill.
Also included in the proposals is installation of a sewage treatment plant and soakaway.
In a submission to the planners, Mr Duff ’s agent John Paton said: “Wester Auchentroig is a 500-acre farm west of Buchlyvie. The main farming activity is the cultivation of trees for sale at Christmas, but parts of the farm are used for cattle and sheep grazing.
“The farm is owned by Mr Duff who manages it with five farm employees.
“Accommodation on the farm is restricted to the farmhouse which is occupied by Mr and Mrs Duff. All employees live in properties that are not owned by the farm.
“Mr Duff wishes to reduce his dayto-day involvement in running the farm now that his son is able to play a greater role. Mr and Mrs Duff intend to move out of the farmhouse in order that it can be occupied by his son as the best location from which to run the business. He therefore wishes to build a new house on the farm lands so that he can continue to play a part in running the farm, located where he can contribute to the supervision and security of the farm lands.”
Mr Paton said Mr Duff understood that under Stirling Local Development Plan policies there was a requirement for proposals for new houses in the countryside to be justified in terms of “need”.
He added: “In this case he will continue to play an important ongoing role in running the farm. He also accepts the council will wish to apply a planning condition which restricts the occupancy of the new house to those employed, or last employed, in connection with the agricultural business.”
Council planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.
A previous application submitted in January of this year was withdrawn in June after council planners felt the proposed design and siting was “too visually dominant”. Discussions have since taken place with planners, resulting in various changes which are included in the new proposal.