Green light for plan to illuminate Old Bridge
Lighting at Old Stirling Bridge is to be upgraded.
Stirling Council planners have granted conditional approval to the Guardians of Scotland Trust to replace the existing lights within the current floodlighting scheme and erect two new lighting poles on either side of the river.
The bridge is a scheduled ancient monument and the wider site is within the Bridgehaugh Conservation Area. The site is also within the designated site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Council planners said: “The inclusion of floodlighting poles are of a size, scale and location that they will not impact negatively on the setting of the area or its character.
“It is considered that the wider scheme will have a net positive impact on the area by allowing an attractive design feature to highlight the bridge.
“Whilst the scheme itself is considered to be of positive impact, there are concerns that the site could be impacted negatively during construction.
“In this regard it is considered that mitigation measures are required to protect the character and setting of the site.”
No trees are to be removed and planners want trees there protected during cable laying.
Planners also want a detailed archaeological survey to be carried out as the site was a core area of the battle and there is the potential of a medieval mill pond there.
The lighting of the bridge is part of plans by the Guardian of Scotland Trust to commemorate the role played in the Battle of Stirling Bridge by the co-commanders Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, and to create a memorial in their honour.