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The decision was reached despite the Scottish Government planning reporter who considered the appeal saying some issues of concern raised by objectors were not enough grounds to refuse the application. The application had attracted 55 letters of comment, including from the Woodland Trust, and a Stop Hillside Houses Facebook group which was joined by almost 500 people.
Developers Arnbathie Developments and Dandara had appealed through the Scottish Government's planning appeals system against Stirling Council’s non-determination of their application. However, the appeal reporter decided any approval of the application would be premature given the council's 2016 Local Development Plan was currently the subject of an appeal. In his decision, appeals reporter Mike Croft said: "The project's contribution to housing supply at a time when that supply is clearly deficient weighs in its favour, but that benefit has to be seen against the loss of a greenfield site and the project's less than satisfactory public transport implications.
"Those points call into question its sustainability issues. The project is, in my view, premature in relation to the local development plan process, and the examination into the 2016 plan is well placed to take account of the need for more housing land and the extent to which Dunblane ought to expand on its south-eastern side, if at all." Mr Croft said the "internal components" of the project did not justify its rejection nor did concerns raised about infrastructure, such as education and health provision locally, and that the site was "readily available for development" and located in the 2014 Local Development Plan's core area. He added: "With a shortfall in the five-year effective housing land supply, they are important points in the project's favour. But in pure development plan terms, they are outweighed by the site's Green Belt location and the less than satisfactory public transport implications of the appeal project."
The Woodland Trust, which said this week it was "delighted" the appeal had been rejected, effectively safeguarding the woodland meantime, had objected strongly to the project claiming it would damage ancient woodland designated on Scottish Natural Heritage's Ancient Woodland Inventory as long- established woodland of plantation origin. However, Mr Croft said: I am not satisfied, however, that the project's inclusion of housing on what is now a dense, dark conifer plantation is in itself harmful. "Although it goes on to criticise the project for the absence of significant compensatory planting, it would be sufficient in my view, given the considerable extent of deciduous woodland that would remain within the appeal site, for a condition to be imposed on a permission to control its management and maintenance. Mr Croft also dismissed some objections from locals about overlooking of their houses after inspecting the site.
Dunblane businesses have been recognised for their hard work in brightening up the town. Sandy Mackay and Carolyn Murray, on behalf of local group Dunblane in Bloom, presented prizes to the Beech Tree Cafe, MacLean and Stewart Solicitors and Hairways. All three businesses were handed Mike Seal Trophies as reward for the stunning displays of colour on their shop fronts. The Beech Tree Cafe won Best Shop Front Display while the Most Improved Business Frontage trophy went to MacLean and Stewart. Hairways won the Best Hanging Basket trophy. Mr Mackay paid tribute to the hard work and creativity of all the businesses. He said:"Every year the businesses on the High Street do their bit to add to the work of Dunblane in Bloom to improve how our town looks. "I was very impressed by all the entries this year and I congratulate the winners for their hard work and commitment in making the most of their shop fronts. "I'm very grateful to George Haddock for acting as our photographer again this year." Dunblane in Bloom have been working to improve the appearance of the town and surrounding areas. The projects involve planting beds at Smithy Loan and creating a rock garden and community garden by the Faerie Bridge.
The article from the Stirling Observer 230817
Dunblane Boys Brigade is on the lookout for new members to help celebrate its big birthday.
It is a great year to get involved in the Boys’ Brigade as the organisation celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Junior Section. With lots of special events to mark the occasion, there’s never been a better year to join and at Dunblane BB, they’re keen to recruit more P4 and P5 boys in to the Junior Section as the year gets under way.
They meet on Friday nights from 6.15-7.45pm at the Cathedral Hall, with a structured, fun-filled programme of games, badge work activities, music, cooking, crafts and technology, science experiments, outdoor skills and lots more, as well as an annual weekend away and other trips and visits.
Meanwhile, our younger section, Anchor Boys (P1-P3, minimum age 5) meets each Wednesday 6.15-7.15pm (commencing 6th September) and gives boys the chance to make new friends, enjoy games, music, drama, take-home crafts, bible stories and lots more.
Company Section is for boys in P7-S6 and meets on both Friday (7.45-10pm) and Sunday (7.30-9.00pm) with many opportunities for learning life skills, first aid, serving the community, gaining awards and leadership roles, being in the outdoors, becoming a musician and even earning Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Enrolment for all sections will take place on a drop-in basis between 6pm and 8pm this Friday, 25th August at the Cathedral Halls, Dunblane (next to the Cathedral) and registration forms are available on the website at www.dunblanebb.org.uk. You are encouraged to get in touch in advance to check on availability of places: please call 01786 821387 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that there is currently a waiting list for P6. Find out more about us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @dunblanebb.
Braeport memory café is for people with mild to moderate dementia and their carers
All welcome, drop in for tea, coffee, a chat or to socialise, activities include singing, arts and crafts, board games and gentle exercise.
Braeport Centre, Dunblane : Every Wednesday afternoon 2.00pm to 4.00pm
If you are interested please contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 01786 822 422 or: 07748 219937 and leave a message or just come along.
The Braeport Memory Cafe : download the poster
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/revolt-sparked-as-forest-on-sheriffmuir-battlefield-approved-1-4515986
What Do We Do?
Do your unwanted but useful items need new homes? Are you looking for something?
We help people give and get things for free in their local community. Some people have stuff they don't want any more. Other people would like things they don't have. We match them up. We don't have physical premises, or warehouses - people give things directly to each other.fake rolex sale rolex replica turkey replica diamond rolex datejust
Don't throw it away, give it away!
How Does It Work?
It's simple.
* Post a message offering an item.
* Other people see it and reply to you
* Choose who to give it to and they collect.
* You've decluttered, made someone's day and saved an item from landfill.
That's freegling! And it's all free. You can also search or browse the items offered, or post a request for something that other people might have
Why Do We Do It?
We're run by volunteers, and people have different reasons! Common reasons are:
* Many of us are passionate about the environment - and reuse means we make and destroy less stuff.
* We like helping people get things they need, which they otherwise couldn't get.
* We care about our local communities, and this is a way to make them better.
If you'd like to get involved, contact your local group.
How Are We Funded?
Freegle is free to use, but not free to run. We provide a free service with no ads. We keep costs phenomenally low thanks to our large number of committed volunteers - our annual budget averages just £10,000 each year.
Nevertheless, there are still costs involved, and if we had more money we could get more people freegling more often. We run on a shoestring...actually, we're saving up to buy a shoestring.
There are lots of good causes out there, many of them for life-threatening conditions, all of them competing for charity funding. It usually goes to bigger charities than us doing more important work, so we currently rely on voluntary donations to cover our costs.
Many current donations come from our volunteers, who are already donating their time and may not be able to donate money as well. Please think about whether you could help - even if it's just £1. Regular monthly donations are especially helpful.
What's Our Legal Structure?
Freegle is a UK-wide umbrella organisation, formed in 2009 by experienced volunteers and members of the free reuse community.
Our aims are:
* Promoting the keeping of usable items out of landfill.
* Promoting and supporting local community groups working in the area of reuse.
* Empowering and supporting volunteers working for local Freegle groups.
* Informing and educating the public about environmental matters related to the reuse and recycling of unwanted usable goods.
* Promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Each Freegle local group is run independently and is affiliated to Freegle Ltd, which provides central services to these groups and their volunteers. Freegle Ltd is an Industrial and Provident Society for Community Benefit Registration no: 32410R. Freegle Ltd is owned and governed by its members. Local and national volunteers are eligible for membership. Freegle is registered as a charity with HMRC (ref. XT32865).
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/revolt-sparked-as-forest-on-sheriffmuir-battlefield-approved-1-4515986
Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/revolt-sparked-as-forest-on-sheriffmuir-battlefield-approved-1-4515986
Forestry Commission Scotland has permitted landowners, Kippendavie Group Trust (KGT), to plant 62 hectares of woodland on the site of the Battle of Sheriffmuir (1715) near Dunblane.
From Scotland B2B East Coast Edition
Fusion Group joins forces with TV chef to open new Scottish Brasserie
July 25, 2017
The company behind a string of popular Scottish venues such as The Golf Inn in St Andrews and the Red Brolly Inn at Balinluig is set to open a new in-house brasserie at the Old Churches House hotel in Dunblane in partnership with well-known chef Kenny Wilson.
Owner and Managing Director of Fusion Group Alex McKie has forged a new business partnership with the TV chef who runs Juniper Bar & Restaurant in Tillicoultry with his wife, Marie Claire. The new joint venture is dubbed ‘Juniper at Old Churches House’ and will open its doors to the public on 1 August 2017 – replacing existing eatery the ‘Dunblathian’ brasserie.
McKie, who is the entrepreneur behind the rebirth of Old Churches House – formerly Scottish Churches House, a multi-faith Ecumenical centre – revamping it into a cosy hotel brasserie and events space in 2013.
He said: “We are hugely excited to announce that Juniper is coming to Old Churches House. It was very much a meeting of minds when, as two existing businesses operating a short distance away, we found one another and realised that it would be mutually beneficial to form a partnership.
“This not only breathes new life into our food offering as a busy hotel and events venue in one of the most vibrant ‘foodie’ parts of Scotland, but also enables Kenny and Marie Claire to open a second outlet of their successful Juniper concept.”
His new-found partner, Wilson, appeared in 26 episodes of STV’s Square Meals series.
He said: “It’s great news for us, with this major opportunity to expand and grow our restaurant concept coming along at just the right time. We are busy finalising the new menus for Juniper at Old Churches House and look forward to customer feedback once we start serving our new Dunblane clientele. We are also looking at potential new suppliers across Perthshire.”
More...
Dunblane's Jamie Murray & Martina Hingis win the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon 2017
Links
BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40626378
Guardian https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/jamie-murray-martina-hingis-win-174640820.html
Iain Davies, Cameron McEwan and Liam McGregor, all from the 25th Stirling Company (Dunblane) of the Boys’ Brigade, have been presented with Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award certificates at a special ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
Link
Stirling News http://www.stirlingnews.co.uk/news/15407128.Dunblane_youngsters_receive_gold_Duke_of_Edinburgh_awards/
Volunteering Support Fund 2017-18 – NOW OPEN
Grants of between £7,500 and £10,000 are now available to small to medium-sized not-for-profit organisations (with an annual income of under £250,000) working in Scotland.
The Volunteering Support Fund supports organisations to recruit additional volunteers (who will contribute towards delivering a new volunteering project, or extending/expanding an existing one) and improve how volunteers are supported in their role.
Climate Challenge Fund - Apply Now.
Empowering communities to take local action on climate change
The Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund provides grants of up to £150,000 for community-led organisations to tackle climate change by running projects that reduce local carbon emissions. The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) was launched in 2008 and since then 986 projects in 622 communities, across all 32 local authorities, have been awarded CCF Grants totalling £85.8 million.
See Also
Time to submit an application to the Wind Farm Fund
Support our volunteer groups in the Tesco Bags of Help community funding scheme
Support your Development Trust volunteer groups in the Tesco Bags of Help community funding scheme:
- Dunblane in Bloom want to enhance their great floral display tubs around the town by procuring more sustainable containers
- The DunblaneEnvironment Group plan to continue to developing their marvellous renovation in the riverside Memorial Park/Haugh area including their record-breaking hosta border
Please ask for a token when you make a TESCO purchase
Vote for us at TESCO before August 31st!
