Government go-ahead for Forestmill plans

Hamish Hutchinson 1597 - 1597 • Published 17 Jun 2009 12:23 3 Comments

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THE Scottish Government has given the go-ahead to controversial plans to build over 1200 new homes and leisure facilities in Forestmill.

The plans also include a golf course, a hotel, shops, and a new primary school, and whilst Clackmannanshire Council believes the development will bring much needed investment and jobs into the county, residents feel that Forestmill"s rural setting will be destroyed by the development.

The proposals, lodged by Hermiston Securities, were given outline planning permission by Clackmannanshire council in April 2007.

But because the proposals exceeded a limit of 750 homes which could built in Forestmill before 2013 under guidelines in the council"s Local Plan, the council"s decision had to get the backing of Scottish Government ministers.

However, it has been decided that there will not be a public inquiry into the development after alterations to Clackmannanshire Council"s Structure Plan to bring it in line with new planning regulations were approved.

This decision has angered local residents who feel that concerns over the size of the development and road safety are being completely ignored by both the council and the Scottish Government.

Objections

One Forestmill resident, who has been campaigning against the development, told the Advertiser, 'I am absolutely gutted because all the residents thought a system was being put in place for us to have our say.

'Now that whole system is being overruled as there isn"t going to be a public inquiry.

'The main objection I have to the plans is that rural land is going to be completely ruined for ever more. Forestmill will become a town and we will no longer have a rural existence. We will be living in the middle of a town, and a fairly big town at that. We will go from rural to urban in one fell swoop.

'The other big concern is the impact on the surrounding roads and road safety, which will be put in jeopardy.

'The A977, which is a small country road, is going to be a main thoroughfare and it"s not going to be widened or altered in any way.

'When the development is complete there will be at least 1750 extra cars, although it will possibly be nearer to 3000 cars, using that road everyday.

'There are quite a few people who have put a lot of effort and work into fighting this, but going through the proper channels has got us nowhere. That is what is so frustrating.'

However, Clackmannanshire Council says it is delighted that the Scottish Government has backed its decision after analysis carried out for the developer found that the proposed mix of affordable, mid-market and executive housing will well serve the continued population growth in the Wee County.

Whilst the development will complement existing visitor accommodation with a championship level golf course and Clackmannanshire"s only 100-room hotel attracting high-spending visitors, there are also local community facilities planned.

These include tennis courts, a new primary school, sheltered housing and a bowling green along with a leisure centre which may be linked to the hotel. The developer will also restore and enhance the Meadowhill open case mine site.

Councillor Eddie Carrick, portfolio holder for sustainability, said, 'The proposals for Forestmill are very exciting and will have a huge, positive influence for people in Clackmannanshire. We"re looking at £330 million of capital investment, creating an estimated 962 jobs.

'The council"s commitment to improved transport links such as the Clackmannanshire Bridge and the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail link is paying off, as we start to attract high quality investment that will cater for our growing population.

Unique

'This development is unique in central Scotland for its scope, which shows how attractive the county remains as a location, and we"re pleased to have a committed developer on board who is in a strong financial position to see the project through.'

Jamie MacSween, chair of Clacks First business group, said, 'We are pleased that Forestmill has now been given the go-ahead as the business community in Clackmannanshire look forward to making the most of this new development and the opportunties that it will bring for local companies.

'In conjunction with the other work being undertaken by Clacks First we believe the development will further promote and enhance Clackmannanshire as the best place to do business in Central Scotland.'

High quality

Council leader Janet Cadenhead also welcomed the Scottish Government"s decision, saying, 'The council has put a lot of effort into ensuring that this high quality development is sustainable, environmentally and economically.

'The government go-ahead will mean a considerable saving in time and money, and proves that a pro-active approach to planning can be successful. It"s worth remembering that this is a long-term development. We believe in Clackmannanshire"s potential and look forward to seeing Forestmill grow over the next 15 to 20 years.'

The development was further welcomed by Graham Struthers, the chair of the Federation of Small Businesses" Forth Valley, who said, 'The proposals for the Forestmill Project will have some influence on everyone in Clackmannanshire, especially if a positive approach is taken toward involving the local businesses throughout the design and construction phases.

'The potential boost for the local construction industry and its suppliers by creating almost a thousand jobs is very welcome, especially in the current economic climate.'

And Ochil MSP Keith Brown, who initially had concerns over the plans when he was a councillor in Clackmannanshire, said he would now give his full backing to the Scottish Government"s decision.

'The benefit of it is that the processes which we have gone through allows various local concerns to be addressed and it removed doubt on some aspects of the principals of the development,' he said.

'The decision has also been taken in a different environment with a new Structure Plan in place and a new planning framework from the Scottish Government.'

Ronnie Muir, director of the Muir Group, added, 'We are delighted at the decision by the Scottish Government to revoke the call-in of our outline development application at Forestmill.

'This demonstrates a positive approach which we in the housebuilding industry welcome, particularly in the current economic climate.

'Our proposals represent a multi-million pound investment for the local area and we are pleased the Government has chosen to endorse the decision originally taken by the council to support this project.

'We now look forward to working with the council in preparation and anticipate that work could commence on site approximately two to three years from now.

'We would like to thank the council for their professionalism and support in bringing forward this strategic investment project which we understand is the largest ever to come before this local authority.'

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

hazelkaye
Unregistered User
Jun 17, 17:30
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AND well away from the potential of the new railway through Clackmannan (with the nearer Alloa-Oakley Dunfermline Upper line long-since gone)! ADEQUATE alternative to road TRANSPORT IS AN apparent AFTERTHOUGHT with 'planners' - if considered at all!!

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Hazelkaye
Unregistered User
Jun 22, 21:54
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A new 'village' in the triangle formed by the A977/A901 and B910 would 'expand' the existing Clackmannan and enhance the cause for a station there with an expansion of the rail service to Kincardine & Dunfermline! Why build a new village at Forestfield 'remote' from this recently refurbished, extant transport route?

Answer:- £££££££££££ (but for whom)??

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joedune
Unregistered User
Jan 22, 00:36
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Forest Mill should be left as a small village,building more houses and a leasure centre would spoil the village. Forest Mill has a lot of history,leave it as it was

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