Bruce says proposed site may impact Wallace Monument
Stirling’s MSP has voiced his opposition to a planned retirement village near Causewayhead.
Bruce Crawford has written to the planning agency involved in a Proposal of Application Notice for land at Powis Mains seeking its withdrawal.
If the development goes ahead it could see a residential care home, a community hub and retirement units built on the greenbelt site.
Earlier this year the Observer revealed a developer had earmarked a site for around 165 retirement houses plus a 60-bed care home and village centre.
Stirling Council planners had been asked for a formal screening opinion by planning consultants Andrew Bennie Ltd on behalf of an anonymous developer, on whether a planning application for the proposal at Powis Mains would need to be supported by an environmental impact assessment.
The 19.3 hectare site sits to the north of the A907 Alloa Road on the corner of the Manor Powis roundabout between the Alloa Road to Causewayhead and the road leading to Blairlogie and the Hillfoots. While no formal planning application has yet been submitted people living nearby were quickly up in arms at the site proposal, with residents of the small settlement at Craigmill saying such a development could spoil iconic views of the Wallace Monument and that the green belt needs to be protected.
Mr Crawford has backed their concerns, saying the developer’s proposal would contradict the local development plan.
He added: “Such a development would certainly impact on the Wallace Monument and the surrounding green belt area. Therefore, I am seriously concerned about the implications of this application.”
“Whilst I am supportive of investment to bring more modern care facilities for older people to Stirling, this simply isn’t the right location.
“I have therefore written to the agency involved in this matter and asked that their client withdraw this specific application.”
“It is important in maintaining views to key landscape features important to settlement identity such as Castle Craig and Abbey Craig and historical built features such as the mill buildings at Cambusbarron.
“It is particularly important for protecting views of key features of national and/or regional importance including Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument .”
Mr Bennie said: “I do not believe the simple fact that the site of this proposed development is located close to the Wallace Monument would prevent the site from being successfully and sensitively developed.
“The development at Stirling University, like the site of this proposed development, lies in the shadow of the Monument and which also, unlike my client’s site, lies within a designated Historic Landscape.
“My client is delighted to note that Mr Crawford recognises the need to invest in the nation’s older generation but would add that this proposed development goes far beyond the simple provision of care facilities for the elderly, rather, this proposed development represents a new model for how best to address the varying needs of an ageing population. It is my position that any minor impact that the development may have upon views of the Monument or wider Green Belt within which the site is located, are far outweighed by the wider societal benefits, which will flow from the proposed development.”