Pond is part of home bid
A pond could be restored as part of plans which would see a house built near Balfron.
David Morley has applied to Stirling Council planners to build a new home 85 metres north of Shian.
The site is said to be characterised by former and existing waterworks infrastructure including an underground reservoir, fencing, residential properties and the Balfron Golf Club course as well as outbuildings and agricultural fields.
In documents submitted with the application, agents said:“The site has been subject to various planning permissions in the past and this has established that the site is suitable for the development of a dwelling on the basis of the brownfield nature of the site.
“The layout and footprint of the proposed dwelling have been altered and reduced since the last permission to reflect the requirements of the new owners with the house now sitting further to the south west. They remain within the area classed as brownfield by virtue of the same application boundary being utilised.”
They say the proposal complies with current planning policy through the wider environmental and visual benefits of the proposal including: creation of an open water pond with suitable emergent and marginal planting; beneficial effects on local species diversity on account of the creation of new habitats such as fresh water pond habitats, emergent marginal wetland vegetation habitats and native species based tree and shrub habitats.
They also cite beneficial effects on local landscape through proposed structural woodland and a new hedgerow, plus limited visibility of the new house.
The proposed house is a one and a half storey contemporary design with materials and design features referencing more traditional Scottish features.
The agents added:“The applicants are keen to achieve a passive house, utilising solar thermal and photovoltaic energy, reducing carbon footprint. Their desire is to have eaves designed to allow swallows and swifts to nest, swift bricks installed in the eaves and stone cladding to create habitat for insects and spiders. The project will utilise local Scottish materials where possible and will be a traditional timber frame design. A key element for Mr and Mrs Morley is the restoration of the land surrounding the proposed house to create a natural pond habitat which increases invertebrate and amphibian species.
“The brownfield site, although changed, will be viewed as a positive addition with sympathetic materials used within the proposed house, carport and shed built forms. In addition, the proposed landscape features including additional tree and hedgerow planting coupled with the new pond formation and associated new planting will ensure that the proposal will be viewed as a positive and enhancement to the setting.”
Council planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.