Clackmannanshire Council Online

Football Pitch and Cemetery Extension Agreed for Dollar

Clackmannanshire Council's Regulatory Committee decided today (Thursday 29th May) that they were minded to approve a planning application for development of land in Dollar. The outline application, made by AWG/Taylor Wimpey Development, involves the land adjoining Kellyburn at Lovers Loan being developed for a cemetery, a playing field and changing accommodation and up to 20 houses with associated car parking, road improvements and landscaping.

The committee were minded to approve the application in principle, on the grounds that:

• Dollar is in urgent need of a cemetery extension and playing field, and no other site has been identified for these facilities.
• The application site was previously identified in part as a Community and Recreational Site in the 1994 Clackmannanshire Local Plan (for a cemetery extension and playing field).
• The third alteration to the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Structure Plan indicates that, in Dollar, an exception could be made to the presumption against development outwith established settlement boundaries, to enable community facilities. This exception applies where there is an established need for community facilities and where any development is kept to the minimum number of houses, as is the case here.
• The development will improve standards of road and pedestrian safety at Lovers Loan and Park Place in Dollar for the benefit of existing users

Conditions would include construction being managed to a high standard. Traffic calming measures and road improvements would be included in any approved plans and, where appropriate, the Council would consult further with the school, health centre and residents. The plans must also now go to the Scottish Government for approval, as the Council has declared an interest in the application (ie the acquisition of land for a playing field and cemetery).

Committee Convener Councillor Alastair Campbell said: ""The Council has been trying for over ten years to replace Dollar's playing field and gain a much-needed cemetery extension. With no other suitable sites identified, this opportunity to allow a small-scale development with associated road improvements was the only chance to secure these valuable community facilities. I'm confident that the Regulatory Committee made the right decision in the interests of people in Dollar and the whole community of Clackmannanshire."

Notes for Editors

• The application was registered with Clackmannanshire Council on 27th December 2007. As it was lodged over the Christmas period, the Council stated that the 14 day consultation period would begin on 4th January 2008 and notified over 50 local residents in writing.
• The plans were available for viewing at Dollar Library.