Mining heritage could be commemorated in the first new homes built in Stirling’s ‘supervillage’.
Stirling Council officials say a number of street names have been proposed for the first phase of the Durieshill development.
These include: Barlow Street, Blackcraig Loan, Coke Oven Lane, Enginewood Way, Hunter Road, McAlpine Way, Miners Row, Pheasantry Place, Red Row, Retort Road, Roman Road and Rundlewood Road.
The officials said: “The proposed names were taken from a number of suggestions received following consultation with the locally-elected members and Bannockburn Community Council, that the larger site sits by, since there is no community council for Plean. Additional consultation with local groups was carried out.
“The names chosen respect the local history and are mainly taken from the surrounding wood names and locality and the local mining and those associated with the mining disaster of 1922.”
As reported recently in the Observer, the first bricks could soon be put down on the site - almost two decades after the so-called ‘supervillage’ was first discussed.
Plans to create a new 3000-home development at Durieshill between Plean and Bannockburn initially emerged in 2004 when the land was first allocated in the Local Plan.
Since then it has had a lengthy and chequered history. This includes it being backed at a public inquiry by the Scottish Executive in 2006.
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But building work to this point has failed to materialise.
Springfield Properties became backers for the site in 2016 and in December 2019 Stirling Council’s planning and regulation panel approved the firm’s application, thought to be one of the most extensive and complex single development proposals seen in Scotland, with 163 conditions attached to the consent.
The company recently submitted a detailed application - for a small yet significant part of the masterplan.
While it seeks only to build an information and showhome complex, it nevertheless would mark the first tangible sign of what the future will hold for the area.
A Springfield Properties spokesperson said: “Located in a prime location overlooking the village core, the information centre has been designed to ensure visitors can understand the masterplan for Durieshill which will eventually feature a primary school, secondary school, community campus and other community facilities.
“The building will be used to showcase the facilities and aesthetic elements throughout Durieshill, such as orchard trees and sample interactive play equipment for children, bringing it to life for visitors. The space will also demonstrate how landscaping will be approached and how innovative building techniques and materials will be used.
“Prospective buyers will be able to browse sales information on interactive displays and spend time tailoring their new home. From a choice of paint colours in each room, to bespoke bathroom tiling and extras such as rainfall showers and wine coolers, the centre will provide a space for prospective buyers to have fun creating their new property.
“Two show homes are also incorporated in the plans – the three-bedroom Cupar, and the four-bedroom Balerno.”
Mark Hamilton, architectural director at Springfield Properties, said: “With more than half of the area of Durieshill retained as open space and woodland, the village will be a beautiful place where people can live, work, learn, exercise and socialise.
“Springfield will develop the village core at an early stage to accelerate the establishment of this community at Durieshill, and we expect to see the village continue to grow over the next 20 years.”
