Yet another planning proposal for Polmont's Gilston Farm site

Last summer Falkirk councillors once again refused planning permission for Hansteen’s application for a major development to bring 500 new homes to the area along with a hotel, a restaurant and several offices.

At the time planning committee members said they were still reluctant to allow so many houses to be built on the site, which was earmarked for business and retail use.

Almost a year later and ever undeterred, Hansteen has presented a proposal of application notice to Falkirk Council noting the firm’s intent to lodge another similar application for the site.

This one is for a mixed use development, again with around 500 residential units on the 55.6 hectare site along with employment, commercial and retail uses, with associated infrastructure – featuring a large area for open space and a water park that can act as both flood attenuation for climate change modelling events and as amenity open space.

Haldane consultant Ken Haldane said: “We are delighted to be bringing forward our exciting proposals for the site, which will serve to deliver much-needed housing in the area. In addition to housing and employment uses, we are keen to get the views of the public and hear what they would like to see in terms of potential community uses.”

Hansteen say the development will assist in creating jobs and delivering housing and will also play a “major role in supporting the economic recovery from the current COVID-19 crisis”.

The firm believes the time is right for the application to finally be approved.

A Hansteen spokesperson said: “The adopted Local Development Plan, which allocates sites for development, had previously allocated the land for employment uses only. However, a new Local Development Plan is due to be adopted this year.

“A Scottish Government Reporter recommended through its examination the Gilston site should be changed to become a mixed-use allocation, delivering much needed housing in order to address a shortfall in Falkirk Council’ five-year housing supply.”

Extensive community engagement will be undertaken on the site, delivering a development which takes into account flooding and other constraints. It will also look to see what the public would like to potentially see on the site.

This engagement will be based on new Scottish Government guidance that has temporarily suspended public consultation events and replaced these with live and interactive web-based consultation for major planning applications.

This will take place on Wednesday, June 24 from 1pm to 8pm.