The Kippendavie Group Trust had sought permission in principle to develop land to the east of Kellie Wynd.

At a meeting of the Panel on Tuesday, 28 February, members refused the application on the grounds the proposal was contrary to several policies of the national planning framework (NPF4).

These include:

• The site has been identified in the Local Development Plan as culturally and locally important, with a Green Belt and a Historic Battlefield (Sheriffmuir) designation.
• The development is not of a type listed in the permissible circumstances where it may be supported.
• Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate the historic battlefield at Sheriffmuir will be protected and its cultural significance enhanced.
• The proposal is not one of the ‘limited categories’ in which development of new homes on land not allocated for housing in the Local Development Plan would be supported.
• The proposal fails to incorporate accessible open space of appropriate quantity and quality to meet the needs arising from the development.
• Dunblane Community Council noted ‘significant’ local objection to the plans and also expressed concerns over an increase in car usage and traffic, pressure on local services and a lack of conformity with the Local Development Plan.

In total, 118 letters of comment were submitted about the application on a wide range of issues. These included concerns over a ‘lack of community engagement’ by the developer, the potential impact on local wildlife and the impact on residents of Kellie Wynd.