Co-op plans revised following objections
Fresh plans for a new Bridge of Allan Co-op store have been submitted‘to address previously stated objections’.
The Co-op have lodged plans with Stirling Council to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new store, parallel with Fountain Road, with parking spaces to the side and rear of the premises.
When proposals were first submitted for a new store at the end of 2019, concerns were expressed about its position to the south, parallel with Keir Street, within the current car parking area, and the proposed building’s impact on views along the street with its listed churches –Bridge of Allan Parish Church and St Saviour’s Episcopal Church.
Parish church minister the Rev Dan Harper, in his submission to planners, had also believed these plans would have had a negative impact on the day-to-day work of the church.
And attendees at a meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council had also expressed concern about the suitability of building materials, the loss of mature trees, and a reduction in car parking spaces.
However, agents for the Co-op, North Planning and Development, point out in a document that the new application‘has been developed to address the previously stated objections and the Co-op have engaged with Stirling Council planning and roads departments and Bridge of Allan Community Council as part of the process that had led to the submission of this renewed application.’
A number of trees on the southern boundary of the site will be retained under the new for customers.
It continues:‘the new Co-op will provide a better quality of shopping environment for customers and will provide an increased range and choice of products all of which will help to serve to attract and retain custom and retail expenditure within Bridge of Allan.
‘This will have consequent positive knock-on impacts by way of increasing linked trips to other town centre retailers and facilities.’