Worry over store’s re-position plans
Community council will ask Stirling Council if period to submit objections can be extended
Concerns have been raised over plans to re-position the site of Bridge of Allan’s Co-op store.
The proposal by the Co-op to build a new store at the south end of the existing site – bordered by Fountain Road and Keir Street and currently occupied by car parking – was discussed at last week’s meeting of the town’s community council.
While many attendees welcomed the store’s renovation, worries surfaced about the suitability of building materials proposed for the new store, the loss of mature trees and a reduction in car parking spaces.
The existing entry from Fountain Road and exit by Keir Street would be infilled and a combined entry and exit point created in Fountain Road at a location currently used for clothing recycling bins. Mature trees bordering the site on Fountain Road and Keir Street would also be felled.
Community council chairman Mike Watson said: “My concern is that it is adjacent to Keir Street and the iconic (Bridge of Allan Parish) Church. I wonder if it’s going to impact on that, by being so close to it.”
Mr Watson also suggested the site of the store be “moved back” away from Keir Street to save the mature trees on the site.
Community council member Iain McCusker said: “I welcome the investment in Bridge of Allan. Currently the building is pretty tatty.”
Mr McCusker added however that the white render, and grey zinc proposed for the roof was “not an appropriate roofing material for such a sensitive area like Bridge of Allan – particularly Keir Street and significantly the nearby Victorian churches”.
He continued: “The slate roof and sandstone on the new Bridge of Allan Church buildings opposite are much more in keeping with the village.”
Mr McCusker told the meeting that he had visited the Co-op car park and counted 70 spaces, but under the new proposals there would now be 58 parking spaces.
Concerns were also expressed over the amount of time available to submit objections to the scheme given the General Election and Christmas holiday. The community council agreed to contact Stirling Council to seek an extension for submissions.
A Co-op spokesperson said this week: “We are looking to upgrade the current store by relocating it into a brand new site less than 100 metres away. This proposal will safeguard the future of this much needed convenience store for future generations within an area of such outstanding beauty.”