Sandy Adam, Chairman of Springfield Properties’, has challenged Stirling Council on the considerable delays by planning officials to progress housing at Durieshill. 

He said Springfield had waited a staggering 287 weeks since planning was submitted for the development and still has failed to gain final approval.

The scheme would see the creation of 3,000 much-needed homes in the area as well as bring a significant stimulus to the local economy with new jobs and business opportunities. 

Despite its significance to the community, planning officials have failed to meet agreed timescales, most recently pushing back a milestone date that had been earmarked for the Section 75 Agreement to be tabled. 

Adam said: “There is a well-documented housing crisis in Scotland, with communities across the country crying out for new private and affordable homes. Specifically in Stirling, the need for housing was identified in the local development plan 20 years ago.  

“Springfield brought the solution to Stirling Council in 2016, and councillors instructed their officials to move forward with this development in 2019 when permission was granted.

He added: “Since then, significant time and effort has been put into bringing this development to life, and yet five years later we have not been able to proceed. 

“It is embarrassing for Stirling Council that we are in this position, unable to move forward because of the inaction of officers who have given no reasonable justification for these delays.”

The most recent delays relate to the Section 75 Agreement, which was due to be discussed at today’s council meeting, but was removed from the agenda at the last minute.

The provision, which is a standard part of the planning process, requires Springfield to make a financial contribution to the council to be used for improving local infrastructure.

Adam said: “Springfield has extensive experience in building large village developments and in no other council area have we witnessed anything like this. Our Dykes of Gray development of 1,500 homes took just 62 weeks for consent to be issued, our Bertha Park development of 3,000 homes took 76 weeks. At Durieshill we are at 287 weeks and counting.

“We fully recognise the importance of getting the Section 75 right, but the council has had years to look at this, and when councillors asked for clarity on the issue, the reaction of officials is to postpone decisions, rather than using the extensive studies and reports available to answer the questions being raised.”