PLANS to build houses on East Stirlingshire's former ground have been put on hold.
Falkirk Council's regulatory committee voted 7-5 to visit Firs Park before deciding if the bid by Ogilvie Homes for houses and flats should be given outline planning permission.
The firm bought the ground from the Third Division side last year fo
r a reported £1.7 million, but its scheme to turn it into a housing estate has attracted dozens of objections from neighbours AND national agency SportScotland.
Residents are worried about traffic congestion and parking problems, while SportScotland is concerned at the potential loss of a sports facility which could be used by the community.
The committee was told Ogilvie is prepared to invest £73,000 upgrading nearby Victoria Park, pay £3000 per house and £1900 per flat to improve education facilities and ease the pressure the development might put on local schools and contribute £10,000 towards the cost of creating a footpath linking the development with the nearby retail park.
Committee convener Councillor Billy Buchanan said they should meet householders and listen to what they have to say, but SNP Councillor John Constable called for the application to be refused.
He claimed: "I don't think this is an acceptable move. This proposal is not only a departure from the development plan but will impact on an area which already has one of the highest density levels of housing in Falkirk district."
