UNUM Partnership has submitted plans to Stirling Council on behalf of Northcare (Scotland) Ltd proposing a care home “predominantly over three and a half levels” with ancillary accommodation, car parking and landscaping on land adjacent to the south west of Orchard House on Lower Bridge Street.

Planning permission is currently in place for the development of a four-storey sheltered housing complex on the application site, while a subsequent application had scope for a wider masterplan including a Student Residential scheme located east of Orchard House Health Centre as well as the Care Home to the west. This has since been refused due to ongoing issues with the Student Resident element.

A decision was therefore taken to submit a new planning application for the care home only.

A planning statement submitted with the proposal stated: “This application has had regard to the Reasons for Refusal which predominantly related to the student housing element, with minor design modifications and amendments being made.

“The design approach to the care home development seeks to establish a consistent urban design response to the townscape context.”

The statement added: “It is considered that the care home proposal will be the first phase of the overall re-development of this island site and integrate with the existing health centre and the wider townscape context of the area.

“The revised approach to the site seeks to continue a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of a care home and student residences on this site, reflecting the existing landscape, surroundings and the ongoing operation of the health centre.

“Following refusal of the last application, pre-application discussions have been undertaken with the council’s planning department in the lead up to this application submission.”