The developer lost its bid to overturn Stirling Council’s refusal of the 265-home plan for the Seven Sisters Field development off Polmaise Road in July last year.

Councillors had unanimously rejected the application on grounds including overdevelopment. Among 230 objections from locals, campaigners had argued that the community’s infrastructure, including the school, roads and health services, wouldn’t be able to cope with a population increase even with significant investment.

Barratt’s appeal to the Scottish Government’s planning appeals division (DPEA), however, was mainly refused because of the density of the proposed housing development, but the principle of development on the site was established in an earlier process, leaving the potential for fresh plans, or a rejigged proposal, to come forward in future.

Now the developer, via BDW Trading Ltd, has lodged a new ‘Matters Specified in Conditions’ application to Stirling Council planners.

It hopes to persuade the planning authority that a reduction in the number of homes planned for the site to 194 will address previously raised issues.

In documents submitted with the application, agents said: “Following these refusals, the applicant instructed its architects to design a scheme that dealt with the concerns of the planning committee and the appeal reporter, resulting in an overall reduction in density from 265 units to 194 units, a reduction of almost 30 per cent, with a particular focus on reducing density in the areas of main concern.

“Although the LDP identifies an indicative capacity of 250 units, therefore, it is apparent that this number cannot be achieved whilst protecting the character of the area as perceived by the planning committee and appeal reporter.

“The current proposals establish a well-planned new neighbourhood with an appropriate mix of housing which respects the existing settlement edge of Cambusbarron and its landscape setting.

“It proposes to develop housing which responds to the needs of the local community and wider population. It connects the site to the wider area by providing new footpath links through the development and to the surrounding path network.

“It also establishes high quality open space, including areas for play, social interaction and social spaces.”