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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Hamish Morrison

Bannockburn battlefield protest planned over horseracing track plans

DEMONSTRATORS will descend on the Bannockburn battlefield to protest plans to build a horseracing track on the site.

Noted activist Sean Clerkin and campaigners from the Action for Scotland and the Scottish Resistance groups will assemble at the statue of Robert the Bruce on the site on Thursday.

Controversial plans to build a horseracing track, a car park and a bar/diner on the site were submitted in October last year.

Stirling Council has been inundated with complaints about the plans.

(Image: Newsquest)

Clerkin (above) said: “It is nothing more than the vandalism of the landscape of this wonderful battlefield location and it has to be stopped now so as to preserve the heritage and history of our nation.”

Last week, the National Trust for Scotland lodged complaints against the plans to build a track for harness horseracing, which involves horses pulling a wheeled cart.

It would be situated on land to the west of New Line Road and south of Fairhill Road, at Whins of Milton.

The heritage body’s director of conservation Stuart Brooks said: “Bannockburn is much more than just a battlefield.

“It is the location of one of the most pivotal moments in Scottish history, when Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, defeated the English army led by King Edward II.

“The landscape surrounding the battlefield was instrumental in helping Robert’s men beat their English rivals and ensuring the nation’s future.

“The location of the proposed development, at Whins of Milton, is in the vicinity of where Bruce’s army faced off against the vanguard of Edward’s army on the first day of the battle.”

A Stirling Council spokesperson said: "The proposed development at Chartershall will be considered by our planning and regulation panel in due course.”

Highland Rural Design, the agents for the plans, was approached for comment.

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