Denny farm gets green light for new holiday cottages

George and Lara Russell’s application to create four cottages on land at Drumbowie Farm, which lies to the north of Drumbowie reservoir just off Kelt Road in Denny, was given the okay by the planning department, acting under delegated powers, on October 16.

The planning documents state Drumbowie Farm was used for over 50 years, up until 2011, by building and civil engineering contractors Archibald Russell of Denny Ltd as an operating centre for up to 50 vehicles, the majority of them HGVs.

George Russell admitted he was really pleased the plan had been given the go ahead and that the cottages would soon be able to be constructed.

He added: “We’re just trying to diversify our business. One good thing that came out of the coronavirus is more people are holidaying in the UK and in Scotland and we wanted to catch onto that.

“We are just waiting on our building warrants now, but we hope to start building the cottages just after Christmas. There’s a wee bit light at the end of the tunnel

Lying between the existing farmhouse and farm buildings at the 124 hectare Drumbowie Farm, the proposed site will see the construction of four, single storey, three-bedroom, terraced holiday let cottages.

Proposed external finishes include natural slate, cast sandstone blocks and cedar timber boarding.

Council planners felt the plan had the potential to support the local authority’s tourism themes within the area.