Stirling Council has refused proposals to alter planning conditions of a retail unit at Springkerse Retail Park.

The applicant requested planning permission be changed which limited the amount of floor space to 15% for goods that might 'adversely affect the vitality and viability of the town centre'. The applicant wanted to increase this to 30%, however the application was refused by 4 – 3 planning members due to concerns over the potential impact on Stirling City Centre.

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Cllr Chris Kane said: "We recognise that the city centre and Springkerse Retail Park are both vital components of Stirling's retail offering and it is hugely important that we do all we can to ensure the vibrancy of both spaces.

"When Springkerse Retail Park was given planning permission in the 1990s, it was on the understanding that the retail offering would complement, not compete, with the nearby city centre.

"Generally speaking, if you need to take it home in a car you're more likely to find it at the retail park; if you need to take it home in a carrier bag, you're more likely to find it in the city centre. I think our decision strikes a balance, something which is increasingly important to both city centre shopping and retail parks as more and more trade continues to move online."

(LM)