Second phase of Branshill Road housing in Sauchie approved

Clackmannanshire Council’s Planning Committee has on October 31 approved phase 1b of the development of 51 houses at Branshill Road.

This project lies to the north west of the town and will encompass a total of 1000 homes in Sauchie upon completion.

Due to the size of the development, the site had been granted Planning Permission in Principle (PPP), with each phase to be separately debated and approved by elected officials.

Councillors debated the planning application for phase 1b, ultimately approving the plans to go ahead.

However, concerns were raised surrounding the development work taking place near and on an active travel route, which is situated in the middle of the site.

The path connects Ten Acres in Sauchie to Ormiston Drive in Alloa and provides an important traffic-free link for children attending Lornshill Academy.

READ MORE: Woodland to be cut down for Devilla Forest energy storage

Councillor Jane McTaggart relayed concerns from residents that construction vehicles were obstructing and taking priority on the path, which she said should not be allowed.

She commented: “A man was walking along the active travel route with his dog was confronted by an earth-moving machine and he was asked to vacate the active travel route.

“He refused, quite rightly in my opinion, and he asked the operator to turn off the earth-moving machine while he negotiated around the machine.

DEVELOPMENT: A breakdown of the phases of the Branshill Road development. (Image: Clackmannanshire Council) “These kind of things have been happening and are not acceptable. Kids going to school have been told to wait while the machine blocks the active travel route.”

Cllr McTaggart called for these to be addressed, while also voicing fears that the route may be damaged by heavy vehicles using them.

Representatives from the development attended the committee meeting and agreed to a follow-up to discuss issues surrounding the active travel route.

Gavin Lloyd, agent for Bracewell Stirling Consulting, said: “We have been not been greatly involved with site operations.

“As far as use of the active travel route, I’m suggesting we nip that in the bud and get it dealt with as soon as possible.”

READ MORE: Phase 1a of Sauchie masterplan approved by council

Cllr Denis Coyne agreed with the potential damage to the active travel route, also proposing issues with flooding which would need to be addressed.

The developers insisted that flood prevention measures would be integrated into the scheme to look as nice as possible, as opposed to being “left round the back.”

The project will see 1000 homes built on the site, located to the north-west of Sauchie, while the previously approved masterplan was open-ended on a possible new school as part of the plans.

This would either form a new school or an extension to the existing Craigbank Primary School in the town.

Clackmannanshire Council had previously rejected the development, but this decision was overturned following an appeal to Scottish Ministers.

This allowed the land to be built upon, but requiring each phase of land to be put forward to councillors first.

Phase 1a had been approved in May, which saw planning permission granted for the first 157 houses.

Councillors approved phase 1b of the masterplan to be taken forward, hailing the work of the planning department in drafting up the required documents.