New tourism project plan mooted for Bannockburn battlefield site

Daily Record

6 hours ago

The council's leader was quizzed on the possibility of working alongside the National Trust for Scotland for developing plans for the land after trotting track proposals were rejected.
Stirling Council and the National Trust for Scotland could team up for a tourism project on an area of Bannockburn recently rejected for a trotting track after Scottish Ministers said it would impact the Bannockburn battlefield.
The Trust had been one of the most vocal critics of the track plans, which the harness racing community argued were their last hope of safeguarding the sport in Scotland.
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But at a recent full meeting of Stirling Council, SNP councillor Gerry McLaughlan asked the council's leader, Labour's Cllr Gerry McGarvey about the possibility of the local authority entering into a joint venture with NTS in the area.
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'With the recent decision by the Scottish Government to reject the planning application for a trotting track to be built on the fields immediately adjacent to the Heritage Centre,' said Cllr McLaughlan, 'this now presents an opportunity for an initiative to boost tourism in the area.
'Will the council leader encourage officers to discuss with the Trust the possibility of a joint venture for the use of the land that the application was based on?'
Cllr McGarvey said he was happy for officers to enter into discussions about the future of the field with the Trust but warned that the sensitivities of the site would have to be taken into account.
'Following the decision of the Scottish Government Ministers and the [Scottish Government appeals] Reporter, we will need to carefully consider the future impact of any proposals in relation to the dual impact of the green belt and historic asset protection policies which is likely to make any future development in this area very restricted.'
Cllr McLaughlan, however, suggested the decision could be a positive element in terms of setting parameters.
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'We should note that following the guidance from the Scottish Government that we now have a very clear indication of the green belt and historic assets,' said Cllr McLaughlan.
'It's important south Stirling particularly retains green space but also that opens it up to the public.
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'I've already spoken to the National Trust and to the action group that fought the original decision and opposed it and it would be good if we as a council showed a willingness to support work with the National Trust and to work with local people to open that field in particular up to some green space that people in south Stirling can use. I'd hope we can get some support from the council leader for that.'
Cllr McGarvey replied: 'I'd like to assure you that we do all we can to ensure that there's a positive use of the space and we will be encouraging officers to engage with yourselves and it would be good for this area ...and for you to engage with the process in a constructive and productive way is to be commended, and I would also like to ensure that officers work alongside you in order to develop that relationship.'
The trotting track plans had been recommended for conditional approval by the Scottish Government's appeals report before Ministers vetoed the move and called the application in.
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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'.
As one of the fiercest critics of the trotting plans, Scotland's largest conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland, welcomed the decision.