Ministers reject Bannockburn track and golf range plans over battlefield fears

Daily Record

03-06-2025

The plans for a trotting track and a separate bid for a golf range complex had rumbled on through the planning process - but have been given a final thumbs down by Scottish ministers.
Scottish Ministers have rejected two significant planning applications for Whins of Milton, citing their impact on the Bannockburn battlefield.
Controversial plans for a trotting track - and a separate bid for a golf driving range - have now been refused, having been called in by Ministers.
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But - while the driving range plans had also failed to find support from the Scottish Government's independent planning appeals reporter - the trotting track plans had been recommended for conditional approval by the same department before Ministers vetoed the move.
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The harness racing experts had argued that the track application, lodged by Mr H Muirhead for land west of New Line Road and south of Fairhill Road, was vital to safeguard the future of their sport.
But the proposals also attracted strong objections from those concerned about protection of the battlefield and views from the nearby Battle of Bannockburn Centre and rotunda.
In their decision, Ministers said they disagreed with the reporter's findings 'that the proposed development would not have significant effects on the battlefield or listed buildings and that it accords overall with the development plan.'
The Ministers added: 'The proposed development would introduce new development and urbanisation into one of the few remaining undeveloped parts of the battlefield and it would have a significant adverse effect on the character of the battlefield, its setting and sense of place.'
They also said it would 'detract from the prominence of the listed buildings'.
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Both the Ministers and the reporter agreed there was no reason to doubt what supporters had said about the need for a new permanent harness racing track for the future of the sport, but that that was primarily a question for the applicant rather than Ministers.
The Ministers were 'sympathetic' to points raised by supporters of the application but did not feel the benefits would outweigh 'the adverse impacts on a nationally significant battlefield and its associated listed buildings'.
One of the fiercest critics of the trotting plans, Scotland's largest conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, welcomed the decision and thanked Ministers, members of the local community and NTS supporters 'worldwide' for backing its campaign.
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The Trust's Acting Director of Conservation and Policy, Diarmid Hearns, said: 'Ministers' conclusions closely accord with our stated views that this development was simply in the wrong place and would have badly impacted upon the setting of the battlefield.
'We hope that this decision brings this matter to an end and that the developer withdraws to a new site elsewhere that will not impinge on places of historical importance.'
On the separate golf driving range application, both the Scottish Government planning appeals reporter and then Scottish Ministers refused permission for the proposal near the battlefield.
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Local businesswoman Lianne Muirhead has long wanted to create the driving range, clubhouse and multi-purpose community space 250 metres east of Bridge Cottages.
In their decision, this week Scottish Ministers said they agreed with the DPEA reporter that the proposed development did 'not effectively protect the cultural significance or the key landscape characteristics of the battlefield' and would have a 'significant adverse impact on the landscape features, character and setting of the battlefield and that the overall integrity and character of the battlefield area would be compromised'.
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The decision also stated: 'The Scottish Ministers agree with the reporter that the proposed development would be clearly visible to the observers directly beyond the [battlefield] interpretation panels and that the driving range building would be a prominent addition to the restricted and framed landscape view when observed from this viewpoint.
'The proposed development does not effectively integrate with its sensitive landscape context owing to its scale and position and therefore, does not accord with the relevant development plan policies regarding siting and design.'
A 'very disappointed' Lianne told the Observer this week they would not be submitting new plans, adding she felt elected members had not given local support for the facility due consideration.
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'We felt we had a very good case to provide a facility that would reinvest in our community and benefit those both living and working in Stirling.
'While we appreciate the significance of the battlefield, we hoped that the mitigations we had put in place to limit the view, allowed us to provide a community and economic benefit that would outweigh any detriment to the site of a possible battlefield.
'A lot of time, effort and money went into us putting in the very best application we could.
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'Two golf facilities, along with a racetrack, have been removed from our area with no plans to have these facilities replaced anywhere.'
Local SNP councillor Gerry McLaughlan said: 'As a local councillor I worked with local people to ensure that their voices were heard.
'I am therefore delighted that both developments were refused.
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'In our area in the South of Stirling there is a great deal of homes being built in the next few years.
'Protection of vital open green space in this area is crucial to the growth of Stirling.
'I know in particular the refusal of the trotting track will be met with disappointment to the supporters of trotting locally.
'But to balance that there was almost universal objections locally to the development, so I believe the correct decision has been made.'