Stirling Council's Planning Panel has given a cautious welcome to the redevelopment of one of city's last major brown field sites in the city centre.

The Planning Panel, Chaired by Councillor Alasdair MacPherson, carefully considered two applications for outline planning permission, which would transform the area encompassing Station Road, Goosecroft Road, Seaforth Place and the lower part of Maxwell Place.

Although the two planning applications were entirely separate, and were judged individually on their own merits, Panel members felt that it was important that any development of this site should be co-ordinated, in harmony with neighbouring properties and important that the objectives of the wider area should be made in the context of an agreed Masterplan or Design Brief.

Firstly the Panel considered an application, by Miss G Leathley-Gibb, for the redevelopment of retail building located directly opposite the main entrance to the railway station, a category 'A' listed building.

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The Panel agreed in principle to the erection of a new six storey building for retail/food and drink on the ground and first floor with residential flats above subject to the satisfactory negotiation of a Section 75 Legal Agreement to secure car free development and travel information and marketing scheme.

The second planning application to be considered was by the Stirling Development Agency (SDA) for a mixed use development comprising of commercial, retail, private residential, library, hotel, restaurant, social rented housing and commercial parking use.

Chair of the Planning Panel, Councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: "The Panel has carefully considered the indicative building proposals for what is an important city centre site.We must ensure that the development is attractive and harmonises with the surrounding built environment.

"The Panel has agreed that conditions will be set on the development to ensure there is adequate disabled parking provision and that building materials complement and add to the attractiveness of the Conservation area."

The Panel agreed that they were minded to approve the application in principle but were concerned with the height of the development and types of material to be used in constructing the buildings.

Council Planning Officers have been delegated to negotiate on a Section 75 Agreement to secure affordable housing provision, car free development, travel information and a financial contribution in compliance with the Transport Development Advice Note. Further conditions will be imposed on the height of the development, construction materials and the provision of disabled parking spaces for the social rented housing. A report will be brought back to a future meeting of the Planning Panel for consideration.

(GK/BMcC)