Fallin housing could create 1000 jobs
More than 1000 jobs could be created and the village population boosted by a third under plans to build 400 houses in Fallin.
Ashfield Land (Fallin) Ltd is hoping to develop land between Drypow and Alton Farmhouses north of Main Street on the eastern edge of the village and has now lodged a formal planning application with Stirling Council.
The 24-acre site - bound to the west by existing housing at Colliers Road, Castle View and Hirst Crescent - is currently farmland but is allocated for housing in the Stirling Local Development Plan.
Also nearby are Fallin Parish Church; The Gothenburg pub; Polmaise Bowling Club; and Fallin Miners Welfare Club.
In documents submitted with the application, agents for the developers said:“the economic benefits of the proposed housing development are significant and our client’s proposed investment in Fallin has the potential to be transformational.
“Beyond the immediate regeneration, there are broader impacts. Using recent cost modelling, it is estimated that the total construction costs of the project will be in the order of £54million and the estimated build cost could directly support 1072 construction job years during the construction period, something which could bring about a significant boost to the local economy.
“The proposed development could see a 30 per cent increase in the village’s population, bringing a number of social benefits. It will lead to greater vibrancy in the village centre, supporting the viability of community facilities, thereby improving the quality of life for residents. More residents using services can also lead to an increase in service provision, something which Fallin would benefit from.
“The precise type and mix of housing will be determined at [a later] stage, but there is significant market demand for land to deliver new housing in the Stirling Council area and the proposed development would provide new homes to help meet this demand.
“The proposed development will provide more options of in demand house types (detached and semidetached) and house sizes (anticipated two-bed, three-bed, four-bed and five-bed) than currently exists in Fallin, thereby meeting market need. A mix of house types, including affordable housing, will provide a greater choice of homes at different price bands.”
The proposals retain the landscaped edge to the River Forth and also include a significant landscaped buffer on the site’s eastern boundary, and the submitted masterplan suggests more than 36 per cent of the total site area will be open space.
The agents added:“while the submitted application seeks planning permission in principle, our client has commissioned an extensive suite of supporting information, including a detailed framework masterplan which presents a clear vision for the delivery of the proposed homes. This masterplan clearly demonstrates how the LDP key site requirements are not only being met, but exceeded, particularly in respect of open space and the delivery of appropriate levels of mitigation in respect of ecological matters.
“We consider that our client’s proposals can be viewed positively when considered against the relevant development plan policies and other material considerations.”
Stirling Council planners are expected to make a recommendation on the application in due course.