Making plans for homes on hospital site

Consultation on new guidelines

Expectations for new housing near the proposed Stirling Care Village have been outlined by Stirling Council.

Officials have developed a draft planning brief which will guide potential developers on the number, situation, type and design of houses and landscaping the council would prefer to see on the four acre plot.

The guidelines say around 35 houses, including some specifically for the elderly, would be preferable and include dwellings of mainly one to two storey in a mix of detached and semi-detached.

Materials would include coloured render on walls, with a mix of orange clay tiles, slate, and grey concrete tiles on roofs.

The council’s environment and housing committee was told by officials: “Planning permission in principle was granted for redevelopment of Stirling Community Hospital in June 2014. This included demolition of some buildings and redevelopment to provide new GP surgeries, other clinical facilities, 130-bed residential accommodation, ambulance astation and services.

“The submission was accompanied by a masterplan which indicated that an area to the south of the site could be developed for housing.

“This was considered to be the most appropriate location for additional housing, offering the opportunity to provide a link and transition between the residential care accommodaton on the community hospital site and the surrounding established residential areas.

“The proposed planning brief relates to the housing component only. This involves an area of land towards the southern boundary of the hospital site, adjacent to Westerlands Drive, the bowling and tennis clubs and the A9 dual carriageway.

“Public consultation on the brief will run for six weeks between June 11 and July 24.

“Direct consultations will also be issued to key agencies and the Kings Park and Torbrex Community Councils.

“Direct contact will also be made with property owners/ occupiers next to the site and those within 20 metres. This will involve all properties along the private road Westerlands Drive.

“Consultation responses received will be reported to a meeting of the ecommittee on September 17, at which point the brief will be presented for final approval.”

The proposed brief states: “There is potential to provide a through route serving the development via Westerlands Drive and linking back on to Randolph Road.

“Westerlands Drive is a private road and if legal agreement can be secured following discussions with local residents and owners then the private section and its associated footways should be upgraded. Access direct from Randolph Road should also be taken.

“Provision of resident i a l development designed specifically for use by the elderly may allow consideration of reduced parking standards for this element of any proposal. In such a circumstance the applicant will be required to provide evidence that supports the reduction.”

While the NHS buildings and residential care facility are likely to be developed separately from the housing, all parties will be expected to “work together to ensure layouts provide a seamless transition between the two.”

Public consultation will run for six weeks from June 11 to July 24