Businessman’s emotional plea for Cloybank land sell-off to help develop facility

A Banknock businessman made an emotional plea to councillors to allow him to finish developing "a facility that's second to none.”
John Penman.John Penman.
John Penman.

John Penman wants planning permission to sell three plots of land on his 42-acre Cloybank Estate, saying it will help make the business an attraction for visitors from the Falkirk area and beyond.

Family-run Cloybank, which has been open for 12 years, offers a variety of outdoor pursuits as well as employment training.

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But Mr Penman told councillors that without the sale of the land the future looks bleak.

Addressing an online meeting, he told members of Falkirk Council's planning committee: "We're trying to build something here that's going to be long-term, sustainable and good for the local economy."

Mr Penman said selling the land was necessary.

"The only way I've got of moving forward is selling off parts of my land - which I don't like doing.

"But to see Cloybank complete and finished that's what I'm having to do."

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Mr Penman had previously sold six plots of land to raise money to develop Cloybank.

These plots were sold with conditions - known as a Section 75 agreement - that the profits would be used to fund specific parts of the development.

He said: "Every penny that we earn in Cloybank goes back into this company - and I mean every penny - and has done for over 12 years."

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But he said the conditions were restrictive and the current economic climate was making things even more difficult.

"It's really annoying and frustrating when people round about me get planning permission with no Section 75," he said.

"I need this application to see the dream complete - to build a facility that's second to none and that will give local employment."

A previous meeting had heard that paperwork needed for the application had not been submitted and it had been continued.

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At the January meeting, planning officers confirmed to councillors that Mr Penman had given them the information they had requested by the December deadline, but they had not had enough time to look at it in detail.

At officers' request, the application was continued again until March.

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