Stirling Council's administration team is laying the foundations to encourage the construction industry to continue to build across the Council area with the announcement of the possible deferral of commuted payments and other financial contributions attached to Planning Approvals.

Following consideration by Stirling Council Leader Graham Houston, the Environment Portfolio Holder Jim Thomson and the Chair of the Planning Panel Alasdair MacPherson, in response to the economic downturn and to encourage development in these financially difficult times this unprecedented move should allow developers to review their business plans for individual development sites and hopefully allow for earlier building to begin.

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Each development has a unique set of requirements some relating to essential road works, community, and play facilities and affordable housing. The developer pays for these additional requirements under agreements and conditions set by the Planning Authority.

Stirling Council Leader Graham Houston said: "This is a very difficult time for the construction industry and we feel that the proposed measures would help stimulate and support the industry to continue to build across Stirling, securing jobs and adding to the economic growth of the area."

Councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: "We still consider financial contributions imposed on developers as reasonable for the granting of planning permission however, there may be scope for flexibility in the timing of the payment of contributions. If appropriate, this flexibility could be achieved through an amendment to the Legal Agreements relating to individual sites."

Should any developers or applicants wish the timing of payment to be reviewed, please write to the Head of Planning Regulation and Economic Development giving details and full reasoned justification for the deferral of contributions.

Any decision to amend the Legal Agreements will either be recommended for approval through the Planning Schedule or considered by the Planning Panel.

(GK)