Active Places

This newsletterRelevant is being distributed toDocumentation all households in the Balfron High School catchment area, as the information contained affects all those who make use of Balfron as well as andthose who live Policy in the village.

A SPACE FOR LIVING – ACTIVE PLACES

A Space for Living A Space for Living - Next Steps Local Development Plan (LDP) In Balfron 2015 Community Balfron Council Community (BCC) was CouncilThis document began builds a on series “A Space for of communityThere are no significant consultations developments in identified response in the Local to frequently asked by members of the Living” to take the next steps in defining the Development Plan proposed for the Balfron High School widespreadcommunity about concerns a range of issues over relating Balfron’s community public aspirations environment, for Balfron. in particularcatchment area. itsThere street are a few smaller conditions, housing opportunities traffic to Transport, access and amenities in the but most of these are either built, such as Cala Homes Endrick speedsvillage. and transport provision.This document In partnership identifies a series with of desirable Meadows Cou or atncil, an advanced planning stage in the and planning transport application outcomes against which all proposed process. consultantsIn response to those Austin concerns,-Smith:Lord BCC weredevelopments appointed should be assessed, at the and start a first of 2018 to analyse and evaluate the undertook consultations (2015/2016) with initiative, focused on Buchanan Street. Stirling Council have indicated they may be looking to dispose currentlocal residents situation to try to understand across these the village. Their draft proposals wereof part presented of the Balfron Depot for site consultation and the former at, and issues. The “A Space for Living” report Hospital site (closed since 1972 and derelict) for they are both forexplains a period the consultation after, process,an extremel provides a y well-attended Street Event heldidentified in Buchanan in the LDP as opportunities Street in for May. housing/business. A wide It top-level analysis of the issues and concerns was revealed during the time of the project that the Depot is rangeraised ofand viewssuggests potentialwere collated,ways to and a full report published in July.going to be developed by a local entrepreneur. Exact plans are address them. yet to be confirmed at the time of writing. The Killearn site, at 52.5 acres, is one of the largest brownfield In the following months Stirling Council, on behalf of Balfronsites Community in the Stirling Council Council, area. Plans published submitted by the site an owner, in 2016, show 58 house plots, 38 affordable homes application to Sustrans’ Community Links programme, and inand November 7 live/work units. 2018The site, which we is were heavily contaminated, awarded would need significant remediation before being developed £250,000 to enable the next stage of the project to get under way.which would happen in several phases over perhaps a ten- year period. Progress with a viable scheme does not appear to be imminent. Development of this site would impact Balfron High School although health and primary school services (Lesley to draft next stage plans plus calendar of events and detailswould need of tocommunication be provided in Killearn. tools)

PHOTOS

LOGOSNational Stirling Transport Coun Scil,trategy Balfron CommunityDesigning S treetsCouncil, Sustrans, TransportTown Centre , First ?A-S:L The 2006 NTS sets a framework for transport in “Designing Streets is the first policy statement In July 2014, Town Centre First Principle was agreed “marking a Scotland up to around 2026 – one transport vision, in Scotland for street design and marks a significant shift in public policy towards town centres. It asks that five high level objectives and three key strategic change in the emphasis of guidance on street government, local authorities, the wider public sector, businesses outcomes. design towards place-making and away from a and communities put the health of town centres at the heart of The vision is for: system focused upon the dominance of motor proportionate and best-value decision making, seeking to deliver vehicles. It has been created to support the the best local outcomes regarding investment and de-investment “An accessible Scotland with safe, integrated Scottish Government’s place-making agenda decisions, alignment of policies, targeting of available resources to and reliable transport that supports economic and is intended to sit alongside the 2001 priority town centre sites, and encouraging vibrancy, equality and growth, provides opportunities for all and is easy planning policy document Designing Places, diversity.” to use; a transport system that meets everyone’s which sets out government aspirations for needs, respects our environment and contributes design and the role of the planning system in “In making the agreement, we committed to a collaborative to health; services recognised internationally for quality, technology and innovation, and for delivering these. “ approach which understands and underpins the long-term plan for effective and well-maintained networks; a culture each town centre. where transport providers and planners respond to the changing needs of businesses, communities The Principle is not a duty and it is not prescriptive. Taking local and users, and where one ticket will get you needs and circumstances into account, it is about: anywhere”. • adopting an approach to decisions that considers the vibrancy of The NTS sets out the desired hierachy of modes town centres as a starting point (as illustrated below). Proposals developed as part of this project aim to be in line with this hierachy, • ensuring that the health of town centres features in decision- putting pedestrians and cyclists first. making processes

• open, measured and transparent decision making that takes account of medium to longer-term impacts on town centres

• recognising that town centre locations are not always suitable and making sure that the reasons for locating elsewhere are transparent and backed by evidence”