Mo-lawn started in 1991 and from 1999 have been growing and selling plants from Stockbridge, Dunblane. The company has expanded over the past 30 years, not only selling bedding plants, shrubs and trees but also undertaking landscape contracting and garden maintenance. During Covid we were able to bring two local businesses to the Stockbridge site. James’ speciality coffee bar offers freshly made coffee, bagels and breakfast while Mangiamo provides delicious pizzas. We are thrilled and very grateful to our customers for their support which has enabled these businesses to flourish. Our home at Stockbridge is now becoming too confined. Working with the local Kippendavie Estates we are considering a new site north of Queen Victoria School at Lady’s Mount for a new Garden Centre and restaurant. We would keep our plant cultivation and landscape business at the current Stockbridge site. The Lady’s Mount site would also give the opportunity to provide other services requested by our customers including electric vehicle charging, car share space and a local parcel distribution hub to help consolidate deliveries and deal with cardboard and recycling. The opportunity could also exist for a local petrol station with suitably priced fuel.

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As so many of our customers like to walk to and from the nursery (working with Kippendavie) we are keen to extend the Sheriffmuir heritage trail to include a viewpoint from Lady’s Mount. As a local business we also see Lady’s Mount as having the potential to showcase Dunblane through suitable waymarking and marketing local businesses, building events. We are very keen to engage with the local community and keep them informed as to the status of the proposal. To achieve this, we will upload the plans onto our website and run consolidation events into the new year. We welcome any views, comment or ideas and would be happy to address any concerns. The Proposal Garden Centre- Offering a wide variety of plants, trees, shrubs, bedding plants etc. The centre shop will also include a workshop for crafts and stock food from local traders. Restaurant- Predominantly serving locally sourced food & drink. Play Area- Both indoor and outdoor family play areas to keep the kids entertained no matter the weather. Local History Information Centre- Highlighting and celebrating the local history of Dunblane, Sheriffmuir and the surrounding area. Fuel Station- Providing the local community with suitably priced petrol, diesel and electric vehicle charging stations. Parcel Distribution Hub- A centralised hub accepting deliveries from the parcel companies. This allows the local community to have a one-stop-shop to have their parcels delivered or collected regardless of who the carrier is through a variety of zero carbon delivery options that could create local business opportunities. Access our website – www.molawn.com.

Appeal lodged over refusal of controversial A9 roadside services development at Balhaldie

Developer appeals to Scottish Government, pointing to an ‘electric highway’ along the A9 and transition to electric vehicles

From Stirling Observer

Developers behind a controversial roadside services development scheme, rejected by Stirling councillors last year, have lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government.

GB Grove Ltd’s plans – for a filling station, HGV truck stop, amenity building with rest area, toilet and shower facilities and two units for use as a cafe and/or restaurant on land 500 metres south west of Balhaldie – had been conditionally approved in August 2020.

But opponents lodged a legal challenge against the decision which Stirling Council chose not to contest.

The proposal was returned to the council to be considered afresh and, at a meeting in September, it was unanimously refused by the planning panel

Last month GB Grove lodged an appeal against the decision to refuse the application. An appeal statement submitted by agents Graham and Sibbald points out that the planning application had complied with applicable policy and there had been no objections from statutory consultees. It continues: ‘In addition, the development will deliver economic benefits and meets the requirement for additional truck stop facilities within the Tayside area. The proposal will also support the creation of an ‘electric highway’ along the A9 and transition to electric vehicles. ‘All of which are material considerations in support of the proposed development.

Objector Jo McDonald, of nearby Glassingall, had said previously that the application had “united our community” with concerns over road safety and the potential impact on local businesses who may miss out on trade. She cited cases of accidents at that section of the carriageway, including a fatality. “This is already the most dangerous stretch of the A9 between Stirling and Dunkeld,” she added. The impact on the Sheriffmuir battlesite was also a local concern, plus any jobs created would be minimum wage and would have to be accessed by car, said Ms McDonald.

Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache said this week: “This is an unwelcome development which the community oppose as does the community council.
“There is a big concern over road safety being a development adjacent to the A9. “I will be writing to the DPEA detailing my objections to this development. “This is yet another local example of the right of developers to appeal planning decisions which the local community does not have. There is an urgent need to change planning legislation and have a proper, fair, planning system.”

 For earlier articles about this proposed development  - search Balhaldie