Stirling Council’s Planning Panel has given the nod to a new stone manufacturing facility being built on the outskirts of the city.

The new development is proposed for a Greenfield site in the countryside next to Dobbies Garden Centre to the northwest of Stirling at Craigforth.

The development will include a new building for the manufacturing of stone, offices, showroom and resource centre.

The Panel were minded to approve the proposals by Tradstocks Limited but only if strict planning conditions are met.This includes the conclusion of a Legal Agreement to secure transportation improvements and the satisfactory resolution of objections from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on flood risk.

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Tradstocks are specialists in sourcing and supplying a wide range of new and reclaimed natural stone for building and landscaping with businesses premises at Dunaverig, Thornhill and West Calder, West Lothian.The company currently employs 40 staff with the potential for another 25 jobs being created if the company consolidates its existing premises and relocates to the new site.

Chair of the Planning Panel Councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: "After careful consideration of all the issues, it is the Panel’s view that the site is not open countryside and is in fact surrounded by other developments such as Dobbies Garden Centre, Stirling Agricultural Centre, Prudential and the Travelling Persons site.

"On balance the economic benefits of the development outweigh the policy considerations in this instance.Therefore we have agreed to the development in principle because of the economic benefits it will bring to the rural economy whilst allowing a local business to remain and expand within the Stirling area."

Councillor MacPherson adds: "The applicant will now have the opportunity to explore potential solutions with SEPA on the flood appraisals before a final decision is taken on the application."

(GK)