Massive interest in future supervillage
Work could start after June meeting
More than 1000 people have expressed an interest in the so-called Stirling Supervillage.
Springfield Properties has confirmed that over 1000 people have joined a mailing list for its Durieshill Village development, between Plean and Pirnhall/bannockburn, as it approaches a milestone planning decision on June 29.
Durieshill secured planning consent in 2019, when Stirling Council approved what is believed to be the largest detailed planning application for housing in Scotland.
On June 29, the council’s planning panel will meet again to table a Section 75 Agreement. This represents an agreement between Springfield and the council and, if approved by councillors, will allow work to progress.
Springfield Properties chairman Sandy Adam recently wrote to local councillors to outline what Durieshill will deliver for local people.
The village, located along a stretch of Roman road, will progress over the next 30 years.
On completion the flagship development will include energyefficient homes for everyone from first-time buyers to downsizers and in the heart of the village there will be a community campus with a primary school, a secondary school and other community resources.
The developers also envisage businesses such as cafes, shops, dentists, hairdressers, as well as play parks, planting, tree-lined streets and benches.
More than half of the site will be woodland, community landscaping, allotments, amenity space and pocket parks. Hills across the site will remain undeveloped, protecting historical views of Stirling.
Sandy Adam added: “Durieshill has been in the Local Development Plan for over 20 years and our planning consent in 2019 represented years of liaison, consultation and collaboration with the local authority and the community.
“That 1,143 people have already signed up to receive more information about Durieshill, before we have made a start on site, indicates that this is a highly anticipated development, and we share the excitement and appetite to progress.”
Springfield is currently developing Dykes of Gray near Dundee and Bertha Park, close to Perth, which are already underway.
Mr Adam, added: “The construction of Durieshill will support 400 jobs each year, boosting the local economy and creating opportunities, including apprenticeships.
“It will be truly transformative, and we have been working very hard to get to this point, as have council officials.
“We are very much looking forward to this June committee date.”
Plans to create a new 3000-home development at Durieshill between Plean and Bannockburn initially emerged in 2004 when the land was first allocated in the Local Plan.
Since then it has had a lengthy and chequered history including it being backed at a public inquiry by the Scottish Executive in 2006. But building work then failed to materialise.
Springfield Properties became backers for the site in 2016 and in December 2019 Stirling Council’s planning and regulation panel approved the firm’s application, thought to be one of the most extensive and complex single development proposals seen in Scotland, with 163 conditions attached to the consent.
The construction of Durieshill will support 400 jobs each year
Sandy Adam