Killearn access road is agreed

Apr 24 2009 by Iain Howie, Stirling Observer Friday

COUNCILLORS have approved controversial plans for new access provisions to properties in Killearn.

An additional condition was added to approval which was given to the two-way road to access land at 5 and 7 Main Street in the village.

Planning members said that the road should only service up to four properties in line with the council’s policy on private roads.

Concerns

A request that possible damage from the works should be paid by the developer was removed.

The application was subject to concerns and opposition by local councillors, Anne McGuire MP, the community council and almost 30 residents.

Killearn Community Council supported the preservation of buildings on the road but said that the width of the road was not in line with the area’s conservation status.

But the planning panel also heard that around 500 questionnaires were sent out by developers Scotus Investments and only a handful were returned.

Karen Dinardo, who lives in Main Street and is from the developers, said that 80 per cent of the residents who received their questionnaire but did not answer were “uninterested” and therefore gave their tacit support to the development.

The meeting also heard that there was an issue over land ownership, but this was not a planning matter.

Planning officer Peter Morgan explained that, under current laws, anyone can submit a planning application on any piece of land, even if they do not own it.