Stirling Council has taken the keys to the first new build council homes to be built in Dunblane for more than 45 years.
Miller Homes are building 79 new homes on the site of the former Barbush Quarry at the north end of the town and 26 of these will be offered for rent by Stirling Council.
The initial properties were handed over by the builder at the end of the summer, with the final properties completed in December 2021.
The mix of council housing includes six two-bedroom terraced homes, 12 one-bed flats and eight two-bed flats.
All of the properties have solar photovoltaic systems and battery storage systems installed and meet the new Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2 – 2032) which all social housing has to meet by 2032.
Councillor Jim Thomson, portfolio holder for housing, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to increase the number of council homes in Dunblane which is a high demand, high pressure area for social housing.
These are the first new council homes in the town since 1972. These high quality new homes will be made available to people on our housing list and I hope they will be delighted with their new homes.”
The above article & photo were from the Stirling Observer
Postscript : The article does not mention that these 26 Council houses have been provided in Dunblane thanks to the Council's Affordable Housing Policy. This policy requires 33% of any private sector new build in Dunblane to be made available to the Council or to an Housing Association for them to buy and then to rent them out at rents which are much lower than could be achieved in the private sector. On smaller schemes the Council can instead take a financial contribution from a developer which they then invest in the provision or maintenance of social rented housing. While no new Council houses have been built for a long time in Dunblane, in more recent times Forth Housing Association has built social rented houses at Old Doune Road (15 units) and at Bogside (9 units). Steve Mason
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
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
The RBS Mobile Bank visits Dunblane on Wednesdays at 13.00 for one hour at the 4 Ways Roundabout (India Gate Restaurant)
