Proposed Plan consultation: Week 3 summary

• A popular drop-in event at Drymen, about 30 people came along
• A meeting with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to discuss our site allocations in relation to our natural conservation sites
• More calls and visits from people, mostly asking about sites that are proposed for development in the plan

Drop-in session in Drymen (click on the image above to enlarge) 

Drymen Drop-In

Thom and Kirsty from the LIVE Park Team would like to thank everyone for coming along to our Drymen drop-in session on Tuesday afternoon and evening. We were kept busy with a constant flow of people interested in hearing about the final stages of the Plan process. People were keen that we engage more with the landowners and developers to make development happen on the ground, particularly the large site at Stirling Road and the car park proposal on Balmaha Road. There was discussion on the Laurelfields site (Drymen H2 allocation) and the numbers of housing that we have indicated (10 homes). There was concern over density being too high. At this stage, we are taking final consultation responses on this site. We will review these, alongside all other comments, and may/may not amend the plan in response to the representations received. Where outstanding objections remain and we choose not to alter the plan, we will provide a reason for this and ask the Scottish Government to appoint an independent person – known as a Reporter – who will review these and make recommendations, which are largely binding. Please note that the planning application process is separate to this and could bring forward a detailed proposal sooner. If you missed the event and/or would like more information on the consultation please call 01389 722 600 and ask to speak to Kirsty, Thom Susan or Hugh from the LIVE Park team or email hello@ourlivepark.org. Keep an eye on our website, Twitter and Facebook pages to find out when other drop-in events are taking place throughout the Park.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) meeting

Our meeting with SNH established the policy criteria we must set out in the Proposed Plan so we are being clear to developers where there may be a potential impact on a European Protected site. For example, this could be a potential impact on water quality of a river protected for salmon and lamprey where a developer requires an approved construction method statement before we would grant permission.

Youth Engagement

We are also busy preparing for youth engagement events with McLaren High, Hermitage Academy, and Balfron High schools over the next few weeks. The events include a presentation of the Proposed Local Development Plan and an interactive game (provided by Architecture & Design Scotland) which allows the pupils to understand the different challenges faced in planning for future development over the next twenty years. We’re looking forward to these events!

What’s next?

Our next drop-in session will be in Callander on 11 June at St Kessogs between 3-8pm. The following week, we will be at:

• Balmaha Visitor Centre on the 16 June from 3 – 8pm, and
• Arrochar 3 Villages Hall on the 18 June from 5 – 7pm, and then staying for the Community Council Meeting at 7pm.

Photgraph taken by David Acari from G63.scot webzine.