Hopes have been heightened that plans for a new village on the outskirts of Fife and Perthshire will finally get off the ground.
Planning permission in principle for the £330 million development at Forestmill was approved by Clackmannanshire councillors six years ago, although a further application seeking to extend the timescale of that consent by five years was subsequently rubber-stamped last year.
Upwards of 1,200 homes are envisaged in the project, along with a four-star hotel, leisure facilities, a championship golf course and primary school.
While fears have been expressed the plans might not fully come to fruition in the current financial climate, The Courier understands the opening of the Queensferry Crossing means Forestmill is now seen as a main focus of the ongoing Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, which should provide financial backing to unlock large scale housing development in the area.
A report to Clackmannanshire Council conceded the circumstances surrounding Forestmill mean that it “would be unlikely to go ahead without intervention” or could result in a “watered down” development, but stressed the vision for the site is of “an exemplar development which would take advantage of the site’s characteristics and location”.
Highlighting plans for a community energy network, it also suggests the development will do for district energy and digital connectivity “what Polnoon did for layout and design” – a reference to a Scottish Government-led project in Eaglesham created to champion good design.
“This project will contribute to achieving the overall vision of the City Deal by creating jobs and educational opportunities, reducing energy costs for businesses and households, helping to eliminate fuel poverty and associated social inequalities and establishing Clackmannanshire as a leading authority on innovative district heating networks,” the report added.
The village will be built by Hermiston Securities, of the Muir Group, and is expected to take at least 15 years to complete.
A statement from solicitors acting for the Drysdale family, which farms the main part of the Forestmill site, said they were enthused about the future of the area.
“We have farmed at Forestmill for many years and love the area,” the statement said.
“We plan to stay here after our retirement. We are excited by the development proposal and the effect it will have in regenerating the local area.
“We are pleased to be working with Muirs in helping them make their vision a reality. The new Queensferry Crossing and the new Kincardine Bridge will have a combined effect of opening up this whole area.”
