Latest news with #BattleofBannockburn
The Courier
3 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
Stirling golf driving range plan refused after last-gasp appeal
Plans to build a golf driving range complex in Whins of Milton will not go ahead due to the proposed site's proximity to the Bannockburn battlefield. On Monday, June 2, Scottish Government ministers refused planning consent, following the recommendations made by Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) reporter Stuart West. The appeal was the driving range's last hope. The plan was also refused by Stirling Council in January 2024. Appellant Lianne Muirhead hoped to gain permission to build golf facilities that could also be used as a cafe, club house and multipurpose community space. The driving range and associated car park would have been sited on agricultural land west of New Line Road in Whins of Milton, south of Stirling. Last year, Stirling Council refused the application on the grounds that the development would negatively impact green belt land and the Bannockburn battlefield. This was mainly due to its design and appearance, as well as floodlighting and fencing. Historic Environment Scotland was also against the plan for similar reasons. However, many locals were in favour of the driving range, commenting that it would boost the community and bring new jobs to the area. Ms Muirhead argued that the proposed new building would not disrupt the current landscape or view. She submitted an appeal to the DPEA asking it to overturn the council's decision a year on from her initial planning application, in April 2024. A hearing took place in October 2024, and the DPEA reporter made several site visits throughout last year. Now, after more than two years of debate, government ministers have quashed the plan. The DPEA's decision notice listed the impact on the landscape of the Bannockburn battlefield and A-listed buildings on Monument Hill as the main reasons for refusal. It also objected to the 'overall principle of the development'. The government argued that an alternative location on non-green belt land would be better suited for the Stirling driving range proposal. The Scottish ministers' decision on the matter is final, unless the appellant chooses to appeal to the Court of Session within six weeks. Scottish Government ministers also rejected a controversial plan to build a harness racing track near the Battle of Bannockburn site this week, after a similarly long-running debate.
The Courier
3 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
Plan for controversial Bannockburn trotting track blocked by Scottish Government
A controversial plan to build a harness racing track near the Battle of Bannockburn site has been rejected by the Scottish Government. The proposal, lodged by Mr H Muirhead of the Scottish Harness Racing Club, hoped to construct a trotting track surface in a Whins of Milton field. A single-storey building housing toilets, a bar and hot takeaway food, and 240 parking spaces, also formed part of the plan. It was greenlit by Stirling Council's Planning and Regulation Panel in July 2024. Due to the type of application, the Scottish Government was to have the final say. While the reporter recommended planning permission should be granted subject to conditions, Scottish ministers disagreed. They said the development would have 'a significant adverse effect on the character of the battlefield, its setting and sense of place'. This was due to new development and urbanisation on one of the few remaining undeveloped parts of the battlefield. Furthermore, it was considered to 'detract' from the prominence of the listed buildings and would therefore have a 'detrimental impact' on their special character and setting. The plan also would not preserve the character or the special architectural or historic interest of the Rotunda and flagpole, according to ministers. Diarmid Hearns, acting director of conservation and policy at The National Trust for Scotland, thanked those who campaigned against the plans. He said: 'Ministers' conclusions closely accord with our stated views that this development was simply in the wrong place and would have badly impacted upon the setting of the battlefield. 'We hope that this decision brings this matter to an end and that the developer withdraws to a new site elsewhere that will not impinge on places of historical importance.' In harness racing, horses compete in a specific gait while pulling a two-wheeled cart called a sulky. Scottish harness racing took place at Corbiewood Stadium for more than five decades. However, the site was demolished in 2022 to make way for housing as part of the South Stirling Gateway development. The Scottish Harness Racing Club is currently using a grass track at Haugh Field. A plan for a new trotting track was submitted in October 2023. It proved controversial with more than 100 responses for and against the proposal. The National Trust for Scotland, which runs the Battle of Bannockburn site, described it as a 'damaging and unsuitable development'. Residents voiced concerns over the influx of vehicles, noise pollution and the historical significance of the site. But supporters said the track was needed for harness racing to 'survive' in Scotland and would bring a 'financial benefit' to the Bannockburn area.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Battle is over at Bannockburn as trotting track plan thrown out
Scottish ministers have refused plans for a controversial trotting track at historic Bannockburn battlefield. Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Heritage chiefs have welcomed a decision by Scottish ministers to overturn planning permission for a development of a trotting track on the historic site of the Battle of Bannockburn. Plans for the track for harness racing have been thrown out after it was ruled the development would 'introduce new development and urbanisation in one of the few remaining undeveloped parts of the battlefield" where Robert the Bruce led the Scots to victory over Edward II's army in June 1314. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The track was planned on land close to where Robert the Bruce's army faced off against the vanguard of Edward II's men on the first day of the battle. Stirling Council originally approved the plans last July but the decision was criticised by National Trust for Scotland, which spoke of its 'shock and disappointment' that the development was being allowed. That decision has now been overturned at government level after it was found the development 'would have a significant adverse effect on the character of the battlefield, its setting and sense of place'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Diarmid Hearns, acting director of conservation and policy at the National Trust for Scotland, said: 'This is very welcome news for the trust and all who care about Scotland's heritage and history.' He said the ministers' conclusions 'closely accord with our stated views that this development was simply in the wrong place and would have badly impacted upon the setting of the battlefield'. He added: 'We hope that this decision brings this matter to an end and that the developer withdraws to a new site elsewhere that will not impinge on places of historical importance.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Parking was also sought for 200 cars at the track, which would have been the first of its kind in the country. The Scottish Government formally 'called in' the decision in August 2024 with significant support drummed up by NTS in opposition to the proposals. Dr Tony Pollard, an eminent battlefield archaeologist at Glasgow University, said the proposed site could include the scene of one of the most important early encounters in the June 1314 battle, when the English knight Henry de Bohun spotted Robert the Bruce and charged at him with his lance. Bruce, on a much smaller horse, manoeuvred to the side and smashed the knight's helmet and head in two with his battle-axe. The Scots king, who took an enormous risk taking on the fight, is said to have expressed regret only that he had broken the shaft of his favourite axe. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad READ MORE: Sunset Song church deep in rural community which inspired novel to be sold While ministers were 'sympathetic' to points made in support of the application, their ruling stated they 'do not consider that the benefits of the proposed development would outweigh the adverse impacts on a nationally significant battlefield and its associated listed buildings'. Ministers added the part of the battlefield where the development was to be sited is 'especially sensitive and remains undeveloped' – adding this 'greatly assists an appreciation of its role in the battle'. The Scottish Government also refused a separate application for a golf driving range to be built in the area, saying: 'The proposed development does not effectively protect the cultural significance or the key landscape characteristics of the battlefield.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ministers said these plans 'would have a significant adverse impact on the landscape features, character and setting of the battlefield and that the overall integrity and character of the battlefield area would be compromised by the proposed development'.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Plan for 'trotting track' at Bannockburn thrown out by Ministers
They have now rejected the scheme, saying it would have 'a significant adverse effect' on the character of the battlefield, its setting and sense of place. The news has been welcomed by Scotland's largest conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), who has vociferously opposed the development. The Trust has previously claimed that the planning process had been flawed and that Stirling Council should not have given its approval to the scheme, given its visual and other impacts on the historic battlefield. The Battle of Bannockburn, fought in June 1314, saw Robert the Bruce and his Scots army defeat the English troops led by King Edward II. Members of the public visit the Robert the Bruce statue (Image: Jeff J Mitchell) The proposed development would have parking for more than 200 cars and access roads within view of the battle site. NTS claimed the trotting track, car parking, fencing and buildings, would have been directly visible from the Rotunda, which acts as a national monument to commemorate the battle Stirling Council approved the application in July last year despite many objections and it was subsequently 'called in' by Scottish Ministers. READ MORE: 'Deeply flawed': Heritage watchdogs slam horse track plan for Bannockburn New battle of Bannockburn as heritage custodians fight development The National Trust for Scotland's Acting Director of Conservation & Policy, Diarmid Hearns, said: 'This is very welcome news for the Trust and all who care about Scotland's heritage and history. Ministers' conclusions closely accord with our stated views that this development was simply in the wrong place and would have badly impacted upon the setting of the battlefield.
The Courier
4 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
Bannockburn taxi office plan gets green light
Planning permission has been granted for a new taxi office off the A91, just outside Bannockburn. Stirling Council recently approved a request to change the use of a residential building, allowing it to become a base for a taxi business. The structure, which will be relocated from another site, is to be erected on an area of hardstanding next to Skeoch Farm Steadings, close to the Skeoch roundabout outside Bannockburn. According to the council, five written objections to the proposal were received, four of which were considered competent. One complaint highlighted that the taxi office development would not comply with green belt land rules. Stirling Council acknowledged this but decided to allow the application, 'given the limited scale of the proposals and compliance with other relevant policies'. In its report of handling, the council underlined that the plan will give both brownfield and vacant land a new lease of life. Objectors were concerned that increased use of the access road could affect traffic in the surrounding area, and shared worries about the impact of noise and light from the site. However, council officers said they had no concerns about traffic, and argued the proposals 'would not bear any unacceptable level of amenity impact on neighbouring properties.' The spot sits within the Battle of Bannockburn inventory area, but Historic Environment Scotland had no comments or issue with the plans.
