Inverdunning (Thornhill) Ltd had earmarked land north west of Burnside Works in Main Street for employment, retail and residential use, including affordable housing.

Working in conjunction with JCC, the owner of the existing agricultural business on the application site, and ark architecture + design, the firm submitted an application to Stirling Council for permission in principle for the project, which was expected to have scope for around 70 new homes.

Documents submitted with the application stated: “The application is being brought forward by Inverdunning (Thornhill) Ltd, in conjunction with JCC, the owner of the existing agricultural business on the application site who wish to invest further to expand their business and relocate to premises that will allow for future growth.

“The concept masterplan envisages a new public space at the road junction, northwest of the village Main Street, connecting the various existing path networks and providing a safe environment centred around a new retail and community hub.

“The provision of the hub at a key location on the entrance to the village from the west, with potential shopping, family restaurant and car parking facilities would benefit the village as a whole, whilst enhancing the visual aspect.”

In May 2022, the developer appealed to the Scottish Government’s planning division on the basis of non-determination after Stirling Council failed to meet a decision deadline.

Council planners said at the time that the local authority election held up a decision on the proposal and the developers were within their rights to refuse an extension to the timescale.

Last week, Scottish Government appeals reporter Sinéad Lynch found that, while the proposal was “in partial accordance with some policy elements of the development plan”, it was found to contravene it overall and the principle of development was not supported.

While Inverdunning (Thornhill) Ltd had appealed on the grounds of non-determination, during the course of the process Stirling Council planners told the appeal reporter they considered that this specific site was not supported by the LDP vision and spatial strategy. The planners added that the number of housing units scheduled across the council area for delivery from 2023/24 to 2032/33 was more than the minimum required by the recently introduced NPF4 planning framework policy.

In her decision, Ms Lynch said: “The proposal would regenerate a brownfield site and provide affordable and market homes in the rural area of Stirling.”

However, she added: “I find that these benefits are not outweighed by the noncompliance with the development plan, which includes being contrary to the spatial strategy.

“There are no material considerations which would justify granting planning permission.”

Ms Lynch continued: “Although part of the site is brownfield, its proposed reuse gives rise to the need for greenfield development and therefore is not supported by either NPF4 or LDP policy.

“I find that the development as proposed is of a scale that is not in accordance with the existing settlement pattern in Thornhill.”

Welcoming the decision, local councillor Martin Earl told the Stirling Observer: “I am pleased that the position of both the council’s planning service and the community council that this application did not accord with the adopted Local Development Plan has been supported by this decision.

“I would also want to place on record the significant efforts by the community council that ensured the residents’ views were sought and heard throughout the extended process.

“There is, of course, a great deal of pressure to build new homes but all proposals must be in agreement with the LDP and proportionate to their proposed location.”