It’s time for Planning Ahead, The Courier’s rundown of all the latest goings-on in the world of Stirling planning applications.
We’ve got a bumper edition of proposals submitted to, approved or refused by Stirling Council over the last few weeks.
From fast food to student flats, there’s lot to read about in the city centre and beyond.
Fast-food chain sets sights on Stirling drive-thru
Fast-food chain ChicKing could open a new drive-thru restaurant on land near Borrowmeadow Road.
Foodfixx Stirling, which holds the franchise, has submitted a planning application for eight box illuminated signs.
ChicKing began in Dubai and specialises in halal chicken.
Fried chicken, wraps, burgers, rice meals, buckets, fries and milkshakes feature on their menu.
Planning reference: 25/00281/ADV
Walled garden gin and whisky distillery approved
Plans submitted last year for a new craft gin and whisky distillery near Bannockburn have been given the go-ahead.
Stirling Council has granted permission for a whisky distillery, cask storage and a gin production building to be built in the walled garden of Auchenbowie House.
The multi-million pound investment is expected to create 15 jobs.
Construction will begin next year, and spirits will start being produced in 2027.
There are no plans to open the distillery to the public.
Planning reference: 24/00603/FUL
Plan for new Raploch war memorial
A war memorial could be erected in Raploch if planning permission is granted by Stirling Council.
Raploch Community Council submitted a request to install a sandstone obelisk on Drip Road in mid-May.
The application is now being considered by the council.
It is hoped the monument will eventually be located outside the Raploch Community Campus building, to the north-west.
Planning reference: 25/00268/FUL
Premier Inn Beefeater demolition can go ahead
A planning permission request to demolish the Beefeater restaurant at Stirling’s Forthside Way Premier Inn has been granted.
The hotel chain proposed knocking down the eatery and building additional guest accommodation on the site in February.
Four months later, Stirling Council has given the development the go-ahead.
A new restaurant will be opened for hotel guests only.
Planning reference: 25/00071/FUL
Former bookies could become shop and takeaway
A former betting shop in Stirling city centre could become a shop and takeaway, if a new plan is approved.
Stirling International Food and Wine hopes to turn the empty Betfred unit on Barnton Street into a convenience store that also serves hot food.
Betfred, which was previously a Ladbrokes, operated as a betting shop for more than a decade.
Planning reference: 25/00280/FUL
Driving range plan refused at appeal
Plans to build a golf driving range complex in Whins of Milton will not go ahead due to the proposed site’s proximity to the Bannockburn battlefield.
Earlier this month, Scottish Government ministers refused planning consent.
The appeal was the driving range’s last hope. The plan was also refused by Stirling Council in January 2024.
Appellant Lianne Muirhead hoped to gain permission to build golf facilities that could also be used as a cafe, club house and multipurpose community space.
Many locals were in favour of the driving range, commenting that it would boost the community and bring new jobs to the area.
Planning reference: 23/00254/FUL
127 new Bannockburn homes one step closer
Not too far away from Whins of Milton, plans for the building of more than 100 new homes in Bannockburn are progressing after Stirling Council granted full planning permission at the start of June.
Persimmon Homes intends to build 127 houses west of Muiralehouse Road and north-east of the former Corbiewood Stadium as part of the South Stirling Gateway development.
Overall, 800 new homes are planned for the area, as well as a new primary school, retail and takeaway units, a park and ride, and a golf facility.
Planning reference: 23/00539/FUL
Student flats approved for West End Bar site
A proposal to construct a new four-storey student accommodation block in Stirling city centre has been given council approval.
The building will be located on the site of the former West End Bar on Lower Bridge Street
Also previously known as Jackie’s Bar and O’Shaughnessy’s Bar, the unoccupied pub had fallen into a poor state over many years and was demolished in April.
PCM Property Investment Ltd has plans for 24 en suite bedrooms in the new student development, with six rooms per floor.
There will be a shared kitchen on each level, and a common room on the top floor.
Planning reference: 24/00689/FUL
You can see the plans here:
Premier Inn Beefeater demolition
Betfred shop and takeaway proposal
Golf driving range appeal refused
Student flats on West End Bar site
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