Graham’s, The Family Dairy, is seeking to install the facility on a 1.9-hectare site north east of Mains of Boquhan as part of its plans to achieve net zero by 2035.

The proposal would see dairy and agricultural waste from three of Graham’s sites broken down through an anaerobic digestion process to produce biomethane and digestate – a nutrient-rich substance.

The biomethane would provide a renewable source of heat for soft cheese production and a fuel replacement for Heavy Goods Vehicles, while the digestate would be used on an adjoining farm owned in place of fossil fuel derived fertiliser.

The development includes digester tanks, a plant room and a number of other structures, including absorption towers, a flare and a digestate store surrounded by a 3m high wall.

Alterations would also be made to the junction where the existing road meets the A811.

In a report submitted to the Planning Panel, council officers stated that the proposal complies with Stirling’s Local Development Plan.

Following a hearing at this week’s meeting, in which objectors spoke, the application was approved, subject to a number of conditions.

These included: a pre-construction noise impact assessment, limits on when HGVs can move at the site, a restriction of the operation of the flare stack to a maximum of 10 minutes per month, a road safety audit and the approval of management plans relating to lighting, noise, dust and the environment.

A total of 97 objections were lodged about the application, including from Kippen and Gargunnock Community Councils, out of 103 comments received. These were considered when applying the conditions.

Questions were asked by the panel over SEPA’s regulatory responsibilities, in relation to the environmental impact of the plant. Responses were considered in determining the application.

A plan to partially change the use of a former graveyard in St Ninians to a memorial garden was approved at the same meeting.

Stirling 4 Community, a local charity, is creating the garden to honour past residents of William Simpsons Asylum who are buried there. A number of community groups will undertake gardening tasks to maintain and enhance the area.

The proposals include the installation of a memorial notice board, a small timber shed and two sets of raised beds and planters at the site, which is located between St Ninians Old Parish Church and the A9 Burghmuir Road.

A report by Council Officers considered that the proposal complies with the Stirling Local Development Plan.

The plans were given the green light, subject to a programme of archaeological works and appropriate painting to the historic railings at the site.