‘Exciting’ plan for £25m office block
Raploch proposal could bring economic boost to city
A £25million office development is being planned for the outskirts of Raploch.
Stirling Development Agency has submitted an application to Stirling Council planners seeking to create the new office development, landscaping and infrastructure on land 320 metres north west of The Highland Gate in Drip Road.
The applicants say the proposal has the potential to realise a further £200million investment in the delivery of the wider business park.
In their submission, agents for SDA said: “The proposed office building comprises three storeys (and an additional small area of roof plant) and the gross external area extends to 8,702 sqm. Generally, the building is made up of two blocks of a westeast orientation.
“Access to the building would be gained from the spine road to the east, and 280 car parking spaces (including 12 accessible spaces and 28 electric charging spaces), 12 motorcycle spaces, 10 dedicated coach parking spaces, and 88 cycle spaces are proposed.
“Views to the site are generally limited as it is effectively screened due to well-established planting and existing development.
“The site already benefits from on-site infrastructure. The wider Kildean Business Park has been the subject of several planning applications and, those more recent planning permissions, have instigated momentum in terms of development on and around the site which this planning application seeks to maintain and progress.
“Indeed, the proposed development represents a £25 million investment with the potential to realise a further £200 million investment in the delivery of the wider business park. The building has been designed to meet modern office building and sustainability standards and represents a significant opportunity to attract occupiers and uses to the site which has been marketed since 2014.”
The agents added that a transport assessment had concluded the site fits with transport and land use policy objectives, is well connected, can maximise opportunities to promote active and sustainable travel for trips to and from the site, and that “additional vehicle trips would have no adverse impacts on the surrounding road network”.
“Overall, the proposed development presents an exciting opportunity to continue the momentum of development in this area,” they said.
“It is acknowledged that whilst dated, KDF (Kildean Development Framework set out by Stirling Council) guidance is a material consideration in the determination of the planning application, and the proposed development has been guided by the principles set out within the KDF in terms of the proposed use, building, its form and scale, and landscaping.
“It is considered that the proposed development does not undermine the overarching aims of KDF but rather supports the overall vision by providing the sort of development and economic opportunity that it sought to encourage when first drafted.
“Office development and design, as well as occupier requirements, have all evolved since the KDF was prepared and it must be borne in mind that the proposals accord with the Local Development Plan (which the
KDF does not form part of ).”
The agents added that the project presented “a significant opportunity” to realise development of Kildean Business Park, which has been promoted by Stirling Council and marketed since 2014), and to bring about significant benefits to the local economy surrounding area.
“The council has long had aspirations for the Kildean Business Park. Development in this area has gradually taken place in the form of Marston’s Inn and Barratt Homes’ Highland Gate (and the development of a petrol station is due to commence having gained planning permission), however, the proposed development would realise a further step towards meeting the council’s vision and represents an exciting opportunity to bring about social, environmental and economic benefits to Stirling.”