Stirlingshire development plan would provide economic shot in arm for area

● Dairy firm and housebuilder working on plans for hundreds of new homes

An investment plan to deliver hundreds of new homes in Stirlingshire would be worth more than £65 million to the economy and support in excess of 1,400 jobs, a study has found.

Graham’s the Family Dairy and housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel are currently working together to deliver a 600 new home development, helping to address a housing shortfall and affordability issues in the area. The plans also involve “the largest single investment in the Scottish dairy industry for 30 years”.

The two companies published a new economic impact assessment today which indicates that the proposal will generate an additional 825 full-time jobs, equivalent to an annual GVA (gross value added) injection of £37.8m into the Scottish economy. This builds on the existing economic importance of the dairy business, and would result in a total contribution of £65.3m in GVA and 1,425 jobs to the economy once operational.

The new impact assessment report was commissioned to update earlier studies given the “challenges presented by Brexit, the potential created by the Stirling & Clackmannanshire City Deal and the opportunity for inclusive growth set out in the Scottish Government’s economic strategy.”

The latest study shows that the project would deliver 550 new onsite jobs at the dairy, including 50 apprenticeships, in addition to the existing workforce of 400 in Stirling. It would support an estimated further 475 wider offsite jobs once fully operational.

Robert Graham, managing director at Graham’s the Family Dairy, said: “This new assessment shows beyond doubt the transformational impact our project could have, and the regional and national economic benefit it will deliver for Scotland.

“Our project has at its heart investment in people, affordable homes, jobs, training and infrastructure to strengthen the Scottish economy. It would be a pipeline for developing exciting new products, delivering skills development and growing Scotland’s exports – all of which are central to building a resilient post-brexit economy.”

Andrew Mickel, Mactaggart & Mickel group director, added: “This exciting development could have an enormous impact on the economy, both nationally and at a local level, and supports Scotland’s renewed economic vision.

“We propose to build a brand new community, with 600 new homes, including much needed affordable homes, a new primary school, a neighbourhood centre and a wealth of fantastic amenities.”