Scheme is contrary to policy councillors told

application site lies to the immediate west of The Station House, Arnprior. It comprises an area of land that used to be part of the station, and comprising the platforms, tracks and the adjoining goods yard.

“The Station House, Arnprior, or Port of Mentieth Station, as it was known until closure, was an intermediate station on the Stirling-Gartness-Balloch line of the former North British Railway.”

A station at this location was originally opened in 1856, and remained open for passenger trains until 1934. Thereafter, the line was used for freight until the early 1960s.

The consultants added: “The site was eventually cleared of most of the structures relating to its historic use, but recent investigations have turned up what could be called ‘railway detritus’, comprising such items as sleepers, bases for structures, perhaps the platforms, and what appears to be ash. It is not known if the site is contaminated but given its former railway use, that remains a possibility.

“Allowing a new dwelling would fund the complete clearance of all of this remaining material/detritus from the site, a proper site investigation, and its remediation, if that is found to be necessary.

“It is clear that the land has been ‘significantly degraded by a former activity’, although there is a lack of physical features above ground.

“The applicant considers that allowing a new dwelling on the site will fund further site investigation; remediation, if necessary; the final clearance of the site; and the replacement with a new dwelling, will be of ‘significant wider environmental and visual benefit’.”