Latest news with #LianneMuirhead
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Bannockburn golf range plans to be shelved after ministers' refusal
The businesswoman behind the plans - which would have seen a driving range, clubhouse and community space - said she felt she had a "very good case". A disappointed Bannockburn businesswoman has completely shelved plans for a new golf driving range for the area. Lianne Muirhead's application for the driving range, clubhouse and multi-purpose community space 250 metres east of Bridge Cottages was initially rejected by Stirling Council's planning panel in January 2024 when all but one councillor backed planning officials' recommendation to refuse the bid. The plans had attracted 11 individual objections plus others from Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland. However, a total of 38 submissions of support had also been lodged. Council planners had backed objectors' concerns, saying the proposals failed to protect the cultural significance of the Bannockburn Battlefield, as well as failed to protect landscape features, character and setting of the battlefield. Most recently, the Scottish Government planning appeals reporter and then Scottish Ministers refused permission for the proposal, citing its impact on the battlefield - the same reason given for refusing a bid by a separate applicant for a trotting track on a neighbouring site. Lianne previously told the Observer that every aspect of the design had been carefully considered and environmental issues looked at sensitively plus it was hoped the project would create a community asset, whilst generating new employment to the area. Supporters had said the project would be a 'much needed replacement' for the loss of the former Brucefields driving range in Bannockburn, which closed in 2020, and would 'be a benefit to the area and the community' and bring jobs and consumers to the area. Following the Scottish Ministers' decision, however, Lianne told the Observer she would not be pursuing the plans any further. 'We are obviously very disappointed as you can imagine. 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. 'Two golf facilities, along with a racetrack, have been removed from our area with no plans to have these facilities replaced anywhere. 'Scotland is the home of golf yet we are denying local children from being able to even take the game up never mind practice. Not to mention the health and wellbeing benefits of people being able to play the sport or just be outside in the fresh air. 'I believe we have a need for new houses but we need to provide infrastructure and facilities for people to use. We have the South Stirling Gateway already started and work commencing soon on Durieshill yet we are providing no new facilities for the community.' Lianne said she felt there had been a 'really disappointing start to the application process' having been denied meetings with the planning department and Historic Scotland to work through their concerns, and that she felt reports she had provided 'as and when required' hadn't been read fully by either the planning team or the local councillors. She added: 'When we had our appeal with the [Scotland Government's appeals] reporter it really did feel like they had listened and read the proposal fully. Disappointingly this has not gone our way either. 'A new application will not be submitted.' In their decision, Scottish Ministers 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.'
The Courier
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Stirling golf driving range plan refused after last-gasp appeal
Plans to build a golf driving range complex in Whins of Milton will not go ahead due to the proposed site's proximity to the Bannockburn battlefield. On Monday, June 2, Scottish Government ministers refused planning consent, following the recommendations made by Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) reporter Stuart West. The appeal was the driving range's last hope. The plan was also refused by Stirling Council in January 2024. Appellant Lianne Muirhead hoped to gain permission to build golf facilities that could also be used as a cafe, club house and multipurpose community space. The driving range and associated car park would have been sited on agricultural land west of New Line Road in Whins of Milton, south of Stirling. Last year, Stirling Council refused the application on the grounds that the development would negatively impact green belt land and the Bannockburn battlefield. This was mainly due to its design and appearance, as well as floodlighting and fencing. Historic Environment Scotland was also against the plan for similar reasons. However, many locals were in favour of the driving range, commenting that it would boost the community and bring new jobs to the area. Ms Muirhead argued that the proposed new building would not disrupt the current landscape or view. She submitted an appeal to the DPEA asking it to overturn the council's decision a year on from her initial planning application, in April 2024. A hearing took place in October 2024, and the DPEA reporter made several site visits throughout last year. Now, after more than two years of debate, government ministers have quashed the plan. The DPEA's decision notice listed the impact on the landscape of the Bannockburn battlefield and A-listed buildings on Monument Hill as the main reasons for refusal. It also objected to the 'overall principle of the development'. The government argued that an alternative location on non-green belt land would be better suited for the Stirling driving range proposal. The Scottish ministers' decision on the matter is final, unless the appellant chooses to appeal to the Court of Session within six weeks. Scottish Government ministers also rejected a controversial plan to build a harness racing track near the Battle of Bannockburn site this week, after a similarly long-running debate.
