Muckhart residents call for action over signage row

Springfield Properties has launched the first of its houses in Pool of Muckhart, with prices starting at £328,000.

Part of 50 homes to be built, the development had been rejected by Clacks councillors but was given the green light when the decision was appealed and overturned by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division of the Scottish Government (DPEA) in 2020.

The decision left Muckhart Community Council “dismayed and angered”.

Advertising has since gone up to sell the development, leading to further controversy.

An agent at Springfield Properties has since lodged an application, dated February 14 on Clackmannanshire Council's planning portal, to erect a non-illuminated single stack sign and seven flag poles at the former Bowling Green Loan.

However, an objection to the signs claimed this was a retrospective application as they have already been in place since early-January.

The developers explained that permission for signage within a certain size is not required; however, the advertising in the village "is slightly larger than deemed acceptable without approval" and so formal request for consent has been submitted.

DISMAY: The development has been controversial in the small village of Pool of Muckhart

An objection, by resident BA White, read: “The builder installed this sign and flagpoles in the week commencing January 9, without planning application and without planning consent.

“I hereby object to this retrospective planning application, February 14, and I demand that you reject it.”

The resident added: “Also I reiterate my demand that you tell the owners of this sign to remove it forthwith.

“I deny your statement that it would not be proportionate or reasonable to consider enforcement proceedings at this stage.

“The builder has set up an excessively large sign without warning to residents and without permission in a conservation area.

“Furthermore, the sign and flags are an eyesore in a Scottish village.”

It is understood a sign to advertise the development also went up on land east of Birkhill Cottage after being approved last summer.

Another resident, Dr K Hunter, said in their objection: “These unsightly roadside poles flags and banners are distracting road users driving through the village which with parked cars and pedestrians crossing is already difficult to negotiate.

“They should be relocated and reduced in size, number and visibility or refused planning permission entirely as they were knowingly erected in contravention of existing rules.”

Martin Egan, chief operating officer at Springfield, said: “Planning permission for signage within a certain size isn’t required.

"On this occasion, the signage at Pool of Muckhart is slightly larger than deemed acceptable without approval from the local authority, and, as such, we have submitted a formal request for consent.

“Pool of Muckhart is a lovely village and our development is reflective of this.

HOMES: A render of the development at Pool of Muckhart

"Around half of the development is open green space with footpaths linking to the wide community and the handful of luxury homes we have available here are high quality, with excellent specification and an exceptional level of choice.”

The development, off the A91, will include a range of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes.

Liz Cleghorn, regional sales director at Springfield, said: “We are really pleased to bring our range of luxury homes to Pool of Muckhart.

“It’s a lovely village with excellent links to neighbouring villages and nearby cities with remarkable scenery on the doorstep.

“Reflective of the surrounding area, around half of our development is open green space with footpaths that link to the wider community which is great for biodiversity too.”

For more information on the development, visit springfield.co.uk