Motorhome plan for farm Ten pitch site to suit ‘staycations’

Land near a Killearn farm could be turned into a site for 10 motorhomes.

Tim Brown has submitted an application to Stirling Council planners for a change of use of the plot 200 metres north east of North Ballochruin Farm.

The application site forms a part of a larger, triangular, area of land in the applicant’s ownership, east of the public road.

Planning permission was recently granted for the partial change of use from agricultural land to a caravan site for the siting of five yurts and an ancillary building, and formation of a new access and parking. The latest development proposed is the change of use of part of the land that forms part of that permission, to a motorhome site with 10 motorhome ‘pitches’.

The proposed pitches would be located between the previously approved ancillary building and the road. The building, containing cooking facilities, showers and toilets, would also be made available for the occupiers of the motorhomes.

Agents for the applicants said: “It is clear that as the country continues to emerge from ‘lockdown’ more people will want to holiday in the UK, as opposed to entertaining the potential risks associated with travelling abroad.

“By all accounts the ‘staycation’ market will see a significant upturn in demand. The use and/or hire of motorhomes is becoming increasingly popular, and in this context Scotland has so much to offer.

“The proposed formation of a motorhome site in this location is considered to be fully supported by the relevent policies of the Local Development Plan, in particular those encouraging proposals for tourism and recreational development that will increase the volume and value of tourism and recreation to the local economy, and the duration of the visitor stay and tourism season.

“The [previous] application approval furthermore established that the application site is in an appropriate location for new tourism development, and in additional granted the planning permission necessary for the infrastructure that would provide for the proposed new use, i.e. the ancillary building, the new access and the foul and surface water drainage arrangements.

“Should planning permission be able to be granted, the approved development would be able to be implemented almost immediately. This would therefore assist with the Scottish Government’s post Covid recovery strategy, in respect of which the tourism industry plays a vital part.”

Council planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.

As we emerge from lockdown more want to holiday in the UK