Stirling Council's Planning and Regulation Panel has rejected a planning appeal by Dart Energy.

Dart Energy had sought permission to extract coal bed methane using a series of wells and boreholes. Three of these had been proposed for the Stirling area, with a further 11 proposed for the Falkirk area.

The company also wanted to construct a water and treatment plant.

Members of the committee agreed to oppose any grant of planning permission for the proposal, which will be heard by the Department of Environmental and Planning Appeals in spring of next year.

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Members indicated there were outstanding matters in terms of "the potential environmental effects of the proposals which had not been resolved". They added that policy matters relative to the cumulative effect of the proposals were also of concern.

Margaret Brisley, Convener of the Planning and Regulation Panel, explained: "The Panel has resolved to oppose the granting of planning permission with regards the forthcoming appeal by Dart Energy.

"This decision was reached on the basis that there are outstanding matters with regards environmental impact, and that the proposal is contrary to Planning Policy in respect of cumulative impact on the area."

(JP/CD)