The largest ever development to receive planning permission in Clackmannanshire Council's history has been approved by the planning committee.

The £330 million development at Forestmill will see over 1000 houses being built and bring significant new businesses to the area. The approval by the planning committee follows the go-ahead from the Scottish government granted in June 2009.

Housing, including sheltered housing, rented and shared ownership properties, a 100 room 4-star hotel, championship golf course and primary school are planned, with analysis showing the mix of housing will well serve the continued population growth in the county. Leisure facilities such as tennis courts, a bowling green and leisure centre will benefit this new community and Clackmannanshire as a whole.

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The decision to approve the application is the culmination of over 10 years' planning and negotiating between the council and the developer The Muir Group as well as public consultation. The development will be constructed over a 10-15 year period and will contribute significantly to achieving the council's objective of raising the population of Clackmannanshire to some 57,000 by 2025.

The Muir Group will also be restoring and enhancing the nearby Meadowhill opencast mine site. The previous operator of the mine went into receivership in 2005 without restoring the site. Now The Muir Group has agreed to return the land to countryside at an early phase of the village development.

(CD/KMcA)