The ‘self-sustaining community’, which secured initial planning consent four years ago, will see the creation of 3,000 homes, including private and affordable homes, as well as a primary and secondary school and opportunities for small businesses such as cafes, shops and dentists.

Springfield’s chairman Sandy Adam staged a protest outside the council’s headquarters earlier this year posing with an eight-foot figure of a snail to highlight the speed at which the council was moving on the project.

The Section 75, which requires Springfield to make a financial contribution to the council to be used for improving local infrastructure, was discussed at a Special Meeting of Stirling Council committee meeting last week and approved by the council’s planning committee this week.

Innes Smith, chief executive of Springfield Properties, said: “Today marks a milestone moment for Durieshill and we would like to thank the council officials who have worked hard to help us reach this point.

“Our plans will see a fantastic new village being built, with much-needed new homes alongside schools, shops, and services such as new cafes. The development will also provide opportunities for over 400 jobs and apprenticeships, injecting money into the local economy and making a huge contribution to the area.”

Under the plans, more than half of the site will be woodland, community landscaping, allotments, amenity space and pocket parks, and the hills across the site will remain undeveloped protecting historical views of Stirling.

The entire travel network at Durieshill prioritises sustainable travel and promotes health and well-being – cycling, walking and public transport are made preferable throughout the village and the network connects more widely to established paths, cycle paths and main routes to Stirling and beyond.

Innes Smith, added: “Durieshill represents a game-changing development for Stirling and will allow us to deliver a thriving community for generations to enjoy. Whilst it has taken a long time for us to reach this point, we are looking forward to working closely with Stirling Council as we move forward and make our vision a reality.”

Stirling Council leader, Cllr Chris Kane, said: “This is the largest detailed planning application for housing to ever be approved in Scotland. It is an exciting development and we move forward with Springfield Properties in a spirit of mutual co-operation.

“We have worked diligently as a Council, at a time of great financial challenge for local government, to ensure the affordability of our investment in this development without it adversely impacting other important capital considerations in the coming years.

“No city should ever stand still and Stirling needs more housing. Durieshill presents a wonderful opportunity for Stirling to continue to flourish and grow.

“Springfield’s commitment to providing employment and training opportunities to local residents aligns with our own community wealth building priorities. The construction of affordable housing is also key to our partnership approach.

“We are committed to supporting the delivery of a thriving and sustainable community, with a forward thinking approach to the decarbonisation of heat and energy. Active travel infrastructure is vital, with walking and cycling networks within the development that connect to the wider city.”