Concerns over Pirnhall plans

May 13 2009 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Wednesday

PLANS to build a £33 million office and leisure development at Pirnhall near Bannockburn – which could create around 750 jobs – have been given a cautious welcome by Stirling Council’s planning panel.

On Thursday the panel agreed to continue the application to allow developers RJM Developments (Scotland) Ltd to address several areas of concern highlighted by members.

The members had adjourned the meeting to visit the site then said they wanted more details before coming to a decision.

The plan involves building 196,500 square feet of office buildings and 17,700 square feet of leisure facilities on land between the M80, M9 and the Pirnhall motorway service station.

Areas the panel wants the developer to reconsider include the retention or incorporation of archaeological features as part of the landscaping. This includes the ha-ha (animal ditch) feature relating to the former Bannockburn House estate and the remains of a Roman road.

The use of sustainable materials and design, concerns that the site is overdeveloped, enhanced landscaping and additional parking are also among the points raised by the councillors.

They also want to secure of local jobs and apprenticeships through a legal agreement, proposed phasing of the development and details of the footbridge design and materials to blend with the landscape.

Planning officers will raise the issues with the developer so that revised proposals can be considered at a future meeting.

Panel chair Alasdair MacPherson said: “This development is a most welcome investment in the local area, especially in these difficult economic times.

“Having visited the site, there are several areas of concern on the proposals and, although we don’t want to delay the planning process, we must ensure that things are done right, especially with a development of this size.

“During the assessment of the planning application, council officers uncovered two significant parts of local history within the proposed development site. There are the remnants of an old Roman road and a ha-ha ditch. The ditch formed part of nearby Bannockburn House estate grounds.

“The discoveries of these features are a very important part of Bannockburn’s heritage and we must do what we can to preserve them.”

Representatives from Transport Scotland, the trunk roads authority, are being invited to speak to the panel on the development to give their assessment of road traffic issues.

The developers have submitted detailed proposals for traffic mitigation measures with their application.

However, traffic impact was a particular concern from many of the panel members and they wanted further detailed information and discussion.

Councillor Andrew Simpson said: “My main concern is traffic. This is one of the biggest roundabout in Scotland and one of the busiest.

“There are at least 13 outlets on that roundabout including to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bannockburn and Denny. Every one of these is busy and we are going to create a development with more than 600 extra cars.

“I think we also have to bear in mind the possibility of even more vehicles in the future because of the 500 houses earmarked for Pleanbank and also 2500 homes at the Durieshill supervillage site.”

Councillor Margaret Brisley said: “We seem to be hearing that Transport Scotland doesn’t have a problem with it but the people living in that area do have a problem with it at the moment.

“All the roads coming into the roundabout are totally congested at times of the day.

“Even without the impact of forthcoming developments this development, in particular at peak times, would potentially have an additional 550 or so cars going in and out and shuttle buses. It’s a big worry for me.

“I do appreciate a sliproad taking traffic away onto the Edinburgh road will be a help but that’s if coming from the Bannockburn end going to Edinburgh but not if coming from Stirling or Whins of Milton. It might help a bit but it’s not allaying my fears too much.”