Still no answer
Apology for Airthrey decision delay
A Scottish Government Minister this week apologised for the delay in making a decision on controversial Airthrey Kerse plans - but gave no sign of when a conclusion can be expected.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Kevin Stewart was responding to a formal complaint made to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon by Stirling North Labour councillor Danny Gibson.
Dairy firm Graham’s want the go-ahead for 600 homes near their Airthrey Kerse Farm milk-producing complex.
The company say the development would enable them to proceed with a new £20million dairy at Hill O’Drip, opposite Stirling Agricultural centre.
Stirling councillors turned down the Airthrey Kerse application on March 23, 2016 on grounds the houses would be on an area of greenbelt land and concerns about flooding and other issues.
However, Graham’s and joint applicants Mactaggart and Mickel Homes, lodged an appeal to the Scottish Government just weeks later. Holyrood’s planning and environment appeals division forwarded their recommendation to Scottish Ministers for a final determination on June 13 last year but a final decision is still said to be “under consideration” more than two years on.
Stirling Council deputy leader Councillor Gibson recently wrote to the First Minister asking her to step in and push for a conclusion to the saga, and lodge a formal complaint over its handling.
Responding instead, however, Mr Stewart told the councillor: “I have noted your concerns and can only apologise that the process is taking much longer than expected.
“I can assure you that the report, with recommendation, is undergoing full and proper consideration by Ministers and officials and every effort is being made to issue a decision as soon as possible.”
He added that he hoped his response would address Councillor Gibson’s concerns and avoid a formal complaint being made.
Councillor Gibson told the Observer, however: “Whilst it is right that he has apologised, even by his own admission it ‘is taking much longer than expected’. This really does now mean he needs to get on with taking this decision, failing which the First Minister ought to do so.
“Nobody forced the Minister to be the one to make the decision on this application – he himself used the planning power currently open to him on May 5 2016 to call in the application. He has offered no particular reason for the continued failure to take this decision other than the stock response of giving it ‘full and proper consideration.’ Particularly now that Stirling Council has just endorsed our 2018 Local Development Plan with yet again no provision for development on this site, it is time this matter was brought to a close.”
Graham’s say the new 150,000 sq ft dairy facility would bring up to 450 new jobs to the area, adding to the 500 people it already employs. However, around 450 letters of objection were lodged to the homes plans.
Graham’s were dealt a blow earlier this year when a bid to have the Airthrey Kerse site earmarked for housing in the area’s Local Development Plan was turned down following a separate inquiry. Graham’s insist they remain committed to the proposed development of the land.