Inverdunning (Thornhill) Ltd, in conjunction with JCC, the owner of the existing agricultural business on the application site, had earmarked land north west of Burnside Works in Main Street for employment, retail and residential use, including affordable housing.

In documents submitted with the application for permission in principle, agents for the developers said: “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.”

However, the developers have now appealed to the DPEA (Scottish Government planning division), on the basis of non-determination after Stirling Council failed to meet a decision deadline.

Council planners said the local authority election held up a decision on the proposal, an application for which was officially recorded on December 6 last year, and the developers were within their rights to refuse an extension to the timescale.

They said: “The application was considered significantly contrary to the Stirling Local Development Plan 2018 and therefore required determination by pre-determination hearing (PDH) and full council.

“A planning processing agreement (PPA) was in place until 30 April 2022.

“Due to the local government election, to provide time for an administration to be formed and time for the required PDH/full council procedures, officers sought to agree an extension to the PPA to allow determination no later than 29 July 2022.

“The applicant declined to extend [the PPA]. There is no requirement for an applicant to do so and PPAs are completely at the discretion of the parties involved and cannot be enforced unilaterally.

“As there is no longer any agreed timescale for determination and the statutory timescale has expired, the applicant is legally entitled under Section 47(2) of the Planning Act to appeal on grounds of non-determination.

“The council will respond to the matters raised in the appeal in due course.”

The DPEA said in an update on Tuesday: “The period for interested members of the public to make representation ends on 5 June 2022. Any representations received by the deadline will be passed to the planning authority and agent/appellant for their comments.”