THIS REPORT RELATES COUNCIL TO ITEM ON THE AGENDA

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE ENVIRONMENTAL

09/09/99 NOT EXEMPT

DRAFT CLACKMANNANSHIRE AND STIRLING STRUCTURE PLAN - RESPONSE BY THE STIRLING ASSEMBLY

1 PURPOSE

1.1 To agree that the views of the Stirling Assembly, as summarised in this report are considered in progressing towards a Finalised Structure Plan.

2 SUMMARY

2.1 This report details the outcome of a Stirling Assembly Workshop held on Saturday 26 June 1999. Some common conclusions are set out in this report whilst a more comprehensive summary of the views expressed by the various workshop groups is attached as an appendix. It is recommended that the conclusions set out in this report be referred back to the Stirling Assembly before being included in the publicity and consultation report and considered in progressing towards a finalised plan.

3 RECOMMENDATION(S)

3.1 That subject to the agreement of the Stirling Assembly, Stirling Council:-

1) Notes the comments of the Stirling Assembly

2) Refers the conclusions set out in para. 4.3 to the Stirling Assembly for approval and thereafter these are included in the publicity and consultation report and are considered in the preparation of the finalised version of the Structure Plan.

4 CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 The Clackmannanshire and Stirling Structure Plan was considered by the Assembly at their initial meeting where a set of key issues were identified. The Environmental Quality Committee of 5 February 1998 agreed that these issues should be considered in preparing the Plan and that the Draft Plan should be reported back to the Assembly. In this context, a meeting of the Stirling Assembly was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday the 26 June to discuss the Draft Plan. -2-

4.2 The Assembly worked in groups of around eight people, using maps and other materials to express their views on the major proposals of the plan. As members will be aware, these proposals include – The South East Stirling Major Growth Area – 3000 houses in the general area of , , Fallin and Cowie, 350 houses in West Stirling including and the area, 150 houses in / and 300 houses split between and . The proposals also include Business Parks at Corbiewood, and close to Castle Business Park, an industrial estate at Millhall and new household shopping provision. A full summary of the views of each group on the strategy and major proposals of the Draft Plan is attached to this report.

4.3 Appendix One indicates that a variety of views were expressed by the various workshops. Whilst no common conclusions were agreed at the meeting it would be useful to have an agreed view from the Stirling Assembly before proceeding to finalise the Structure Plan. In this context some common conclusions have been drawn from the workshops. It is proposed that these conclusions should be referred back to the Stirling Assembly for their approval. Subject to their agreement it is intended that these conclusions be included in the publicity and consultation report and should be considered in proceeding to prepare a finalised version of the Structure Plan:-

• The Draft Plan does accord with a number of the Assembly’s previously expressed views on the Structure Plan, the Community Plan, Social Inclusion and Sustainability

• Agreement as to the need for a planned approach to ensure services, facilities and other opportunities were delivered with major housing development

• Agreement that SE Stirling was the most appropriate location for major growth although various views were expressed about the best location within this area and whether it should be split between South East and West Stirling

• Concern was expressed about the rationale behind the housing figures and the appropriateness of having these figures imposed from the Scottish Executive

• Affordable and special needs housing should be a priority

• The involvement of local communities should be a priority

• Some reservations regarding the extent of development in Callander, Balfron, Doune, Deanston

4.4 A number of similar workshops were held throughout the area as part of the overall public consultation on the Draft Plan which ran from the 3 May to the 6 August. The views expressed by the 380 people who attended these workshops along with the results obtained from the household questionnaire (1200 responses) and individual letters of representation (160 letters) are currently being considered by officers. Full details of the comments received along with the officers recommended response and any resultant changes to the Plan, will be reported to the Environmental Quality Committee, before a finalised version of the Plan is prepared.

File Name: EQO108AS -3-

5 POLICY IMPLICATIONS

5.1 The Structure Plan is framed around the Council’s commitments to sustainable development and social inclusion. The Stirling Assembly’s views on the plan will be considered as part of the Council’s local democracy and active citizenship strategy.

6 CONSULTATIONS

6.1 Stirling Assembly

7 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

7.1 None

8 BACKGROUND PAPERS

8.1 Appendix 1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

8.6

8.7

8.8

Author(s) Name Designation Tel No/Extension

Alison Scambler Planning Officer 01786 442500

Approved by Name Designation Signature

Mick Stewart Head of Planning and Environmental Strategy

Date 11/08/99 11:54 Reference

File Name: EQO108AS -4-

APPENDIX 1

Summary of Comments from the Stirling Assembly

Group 1 • Supported new village for Bandeath. • Disagreed location for major growth between Bannockburn and the Eastern Villages as lack of roads, schools, health centres, shops, drainage, traffic and environmental problems. • Did not agree with proposal from Doune/Deanston. • Current housing was of a very poor design and could be of a much higher standard. • Need to accept that transport could change in the future and everyone could be driving electric cars. • Disagreed with need for more shopping. • Agreed National Park and need for paths with facilities for walkers and cyclists.. • Some housing should go between Stirling- . • Economic development in Balfron. • New business Park at the hospital site.

Group 3 • Agreed Major Growth South East Stirling linking into the rail line. • Free standing new settlement along upgraded road to Fallin with appropriate infrastructure. • Re-open Bandeath industrial estate with link road from Fallin to help re-develop the villages. • Too much development for Balfron-.split between Callander and Balfron should be based on population. • Better to have only 50 houses each for Balfron, Doune and Deanston • 200 houses for Ashfield near Dunblane to re-open school Ashfield/ • 800 houses for the Raploch with major shopping centre and improved recreation and community facilities • Agreed with proposed National Park.

Group 4 • Questioned need for so many houses • Strategy of the plan fitted well with the Assembly’s sustainability principles. • Affordable/social needs housing should be a priority • Infrastructure / jobs should be considered in agreeing any development • Agreed it would not make sense for all settlements to accept a share of development • Dispersal of housing would be contrary to the Assembly’s agreed development principles. • Concentration of development in the SE Stirling area met the Assembly’s principles. • Developers should be tied into providing quality infrastructural support. • Concern that any facilities developed should be accessible to residents in the surrounding villages. • Need for continued support for the development and encouragement of small scale enterprises in the rural area. • Concern that creating a new village adjacent to the existing town of Bannockburn would be made difficult by the new road. • Jobs should relate to the Major Growth area and the existing Eastern Villages.

File Name: EQO108AS -5-

Group 5 • Better to avoid development of isolated communities. • Difficult to leave local nimbyism behind. • Spreading development around the area is a very expensive way of accommodating future needs. • Housing mix needs to be addressed with more affordable and social housing. • A New Village would have a lesser impact on existing communities but would offer little to existing communities. • New housing could form part of a deal to improve Cowie/Plean/Fallin . • Need firm commitment to small scale/industrial development. • Concerned about transport links • Major Growth should link to the rail station. • Concern about any expansion of Springkerse.

Group 6 • Scottish Office figures should be discussed with individual communities. • Need for local emphasis- local ideas from local people before preparing a modified Structure Plan for public consultation. • The plan should encompass as far as possible the aspirations of local people. • Need to enable local people to stay in the area particularly older people.

• General support for development at Bandeath. • Because no-one can accurately predict the future the Structure Plan should adopt a flexible stance. • Support idea of adding onto an existing community or creating a number of smaller settlements. • The council should organise regeneration strategies similar to those already taking place in Strathfillan and through the community futures group.

Group 7 • Agreed approach for rural area and for Callander, Balfron, Doune and Deanston. • Felt that the number of houses suggested was reasonable in the long term. • Agreed approach to the National Park. • Local needs housing very important. • Agreed with business park approach but more emphasis on local people getting jobs in them. • Supported major growth in the South East Stirling area provided this was achieved in a planned way • Need for improved road to Cowie and bypass for Fallin. • More shopping development in Clackmannanshire. • Improved community and other facilities for the Raploch.

File Name: EQO108AS