Dunmore Pineapple visitor centre and homes plan

At a meeting of Falkirk Council’s planning committee – held by teleconference – members agreed they were minded to grant outline outline planning permission to George Russell Construction to build a new centre at land to the north of East Lodge, Airth.

Although it is an outline proposal, the plan suggests the centre will have an exhibition space, arts and craft workshop, restrooms, care and retail area.

Building the visitor centre, however, also depends on building 22 new bungalows.

The developers have told the planning department that their intention is that will only be sold to people aged over 55.

Local councillor Laura Murtagh argued that the proposals needed to be looked at much more carefully, in particular the developer’s insistence that the housing would not impact the school role at all and the possibility of a legal challenge to any age restrictions.

Councillor Murtagh said: “You may well get people from Airth moving to the new bungalows and then families moving into their homes, so it’s not quite as simple as it seems.”

Councillor Murtagh was also concerned that the visitor centre is not connected with the National Trust for Scotland, which owns The Pineapple.

Planning officials had recommended the plans be refused because it is on greenbelt land and is contrary to the Local Development Plan.

They also argued that the developers have not provided any evidence that the housing they are suggesting is in demand or that there have been any discussions with the National Trust for Scotland.

However, several councillors were persuaded of the benefits that a visitor centre would bring to the area, in particular the boost to tourism locally.

Provost Billy Buchanan also felt that creating a roundabout on the A905 – which the roads department says would be needed – would be a great benefit to the village.

In all, 76 representations were made in favour of the new development, while Airth Community Council also lent its support.

One representation was received objecting to the proposals.

Committee convener David Alexander said that many of Ms Murtagh’s concerns would be fully addressed in the next stage of the planning application, which will look at the proposals in detail.

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