A combined total of over 4,100 new homes are expected to be built on the sites situated between Bannockburn, Plean and the Pirnhall M9 junction after developers were given approval to proceed with the Durieshill project last August with South Stirling Gateway being approved in October.

It is estimated that the level of housebuilding at Durieshill will produce around 600 primary school pupils by the time that the development is fully completed. Likewise, an estimated 300 pupils are expected to be residing in South Stirling Gateway when construction is finished.

At a recent meeting of Stirling Council’s Children and Young People Committee, it was agreed to establish the primary schools and catchment areas to serve the new communities following public consultations on the proposals.

Children and Young People convener, Cllr Danny Gibson, said: “The population of Stirling will increase as families move into the homes created in Durieshill and South Stirling Gateway. The initial creation of two new primary schools and catchment areas will serve these emerging communities as building and construction work progresses over the coming years.

“As Stirling continues to grow and flourish, this decision underlines our commitment to provide infrastructure for children’s learning and development and develop new thriving and sustainable communities.”

Following the confirmed decision of the Committee, an initial seven classroom school will be built in South Stirling Gateway, expected to be required by the 2026/27 academic term, followed by a 4 classroom extension in 2033/34 depending on roll projection estimates.

Durieshill’s new primary school will initially comprise of 10 classrooms, also with an ability to extend by another 4 classrooms if required. An additional primary school will be delivered at Durieshill in a later phase of work.

Children from both South Stirling Gateway and Durieshill will be accommodated at Bannockburn Primary School until construction of the primary schools are complete. Initially, both primary schools will feed into Bannockburn High School when completed.