Concerns raised over 450 house development for Cowie

Mar 6 2013 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer

Plans for up to 450 houses in Cowie are being met with growing opposition.

Omnivale Ltd and Taylor Wimpey are proposing to develop the area known as “Berryhills”.

The site has Bannockburn Road to the north, the Glasgow/Edinburgh to Stirling railway line to the left, and the boundaries of various residential, commercial and public/private open spaces to the south and east.

Local resident and member of the local community council John McFarlane said: “Our village is losing the only easily accessible, safe and frequently used wilderness area of any significance we have, an area where our children can explore and learn how to respect and enjoy nature.

“An area where we can all, as a village, begin to bring a bit of pride and community spirit back into this village.

“Soon our village will be surrounded by pylons, existing farmland, walkways ripped apart by anti-social behaviour, gas extraction, a quarry, industry and now a housing estate.

“Is this what we want? A village with decades of history, of childhood memories and two schools full of bright, enthusiastic kids who won’t have the opportunities many us had to explore and learn in Cowie.

“As you walk along the path next to the railway line, views towards the Ochils and beyond, as far as Ben Venue and Ben Ledi, will be replaced with windows, fences and brick walls. The views of the Wallace Monument and Dumyat, and out to the Carse, gone.

“The views of the entire village need to be heard and respected– dog walkers, young families, schoolkids, our teenagers, the elderly who were brought up in the village. What’s done cannot be undone.

“ But is this development a true reflection of the needs of this village and the villagers?

“Why can’t we turn Berryhills into a haven for wildlife with a wide range of habitats, a picnic/viewing area , running/cycling/bmx track, allotment area etc?

“I am not averse to development. I would welcome some housing in the village. But why Berryhills? Why not develop the opposite side of the railway lines or on the adjacent farmland?

“We need to do something now before the bulldozers move in in 2015.”

In response to a “screening opinion” from consultants for the developers, Stirling Council planners say an EIA (Environmental Impact Assesment) won’t be needed, but added: “Whilst designated as countryside in the current development plan, the site is specifically allocated for mixed residential and business development in the Proposed Stirling Local Development Plan, though the merits of this allocation will be considered in detail in the forthcoming examination.

“Given its scale and nature some environmental impacts will be permanent and some will be widespread.

“It is considered these matters can be adequately addressed through assessments relating to drainage, traffic impacts, archaeology, ecology etc submitted along with any planning application.”