Digging deep into soil plans
Mound sparks questions
Councillors have approved plans for a storage yard at a Stirling factory despite being puzzled over why the firm wants to leave a mound of top soil in the corner of the site.
Superglass want to create an outside storage yard with new bellmouth access, gatehouse, perimeter boundary fence, fork-lift truck compound, 10-metre lighting columns, six metre CCTV columns and a spoil heap on land at plots 13 and 14 Craig Leith Road.
The application was referred to the panel at the request of ward councillor Chris Kane over concerns about drainage issues and the proposed spoil heap.
Braehead Community Council also objected to the application, raising issues with light and noise pollution for existing nearby residents, and lack of consideration for future residents of a nearby site earmarked for housing.
Council planner Iain Jeffrey said: “The site does pond and the worry was the soil scraped off the top of the site would be dumped in an area that waterlogs, however they are proposing to build the storage area where flooding is now with a built-in drainage system.
“It is unusual to keep a spoil heap but they indicated that they want to keep the soil for further development. It is a relatively low key part of the site with screening. It’s harmless and relatively small so there is no reason to say no to it. All they are proposing to put on it is top soil and they are under no obligation to say what it will be used for.”
Panel chair Councillor Alasdair Macpherson described it as “bizarre”, however a motion by Councillor Danny Gibson to defer the application for more information on the intention for the spoil heap failed to find a seconder.
Braehead Community Council Council told planners: “There has been severe flooding problems to both Braehead Community Garden and the football pitch in recent years and any disturbance to the land on the other site of the railway without giving consideration to these drainage and flooding issues would give us serious concerns.
“The 10 metre lighting will be seen by residents across Braehead, particularly in Spey Court and Carrick Court.”
However, in their report council planners said: “The applicant has advised that there is no drainage from the adjacent community allotments and football pitch into the proposed storage area. The applicant has checked all information and surveys and in particular the railway through the application site. The council’s flood officer had considered all the information submitted and is satisfied with the drainage proposals.
“The proposed angle and downward direction of lighting will not cause glare onto Broom Road, Springfield Road and housing in Braehead.”
They want to keep the soil for further development