News
Foundation Scotland launch their Stirling-wide Grants Programme
Background : Foundation Scotland is currently seeking applications from charitable groups and organisations operating in the Stirling area.
Aim : To fund local projects providing services and activities that can help to address the following themes:
* Support for older people in retirement.
* Employability skills development.
* Support for young people not in education, employment or training.
* Financial Resilience.
They are particularly keen to receive applications from projects that have the potential to meet more than one of the key themes through for example the provision of activities that encourage different generations to work together in support of common goals e.g. mentoring programmes for employability development, projects that seek to transfer skills across generations.
Priorities : Applications from organisations operating in central Stirling will be prioritised.
Deadline : Applications must be received by 12 noon on 1st November 2017.
How to Apply : Please read the guidelines prior to completing the online application form.
Your new waste and recycling collection calendar is available online. The online calendar allows all residents to enter your postcode to check the dates of your future collections days, and features the option of printing off a handy calendar. Following customer feedback, the glass collection will move from fortnightly to every 4 weeks, providing a simpler presentation model for residents. Paper copies of your collection calendar will be delivered to households soon and can also be accessed from your local library and Customer First office. Please note that this will be the last issue of paper calendars to households. In future, these will only be available online, reducing our impact on the environment and saving precious resources by asking residents wherever possible to access their calendar online. This easy to use online calendar will help us all do our bit for a cleaner, greener Stirling.
Dunblane butchers' pies have been deemed worthy of national recognition at the recent Scottish Craft Butchers Awards.
John Hill won four awards in the 2017 Scottish Craft Butchers Steak Pie, Speciality Pie and Mince Round Evaluation :
Gold Award – Mince Round
Silver Award - Traditional Steak Pie
Silver Award – Chieftain Pie
Silver Award – Steak & Caramelised Onion Pie
David Bennett & Son, Dunblane won :
Gold Award – Game Pie
Silver Award – Steak & Pepper Pie
Silver Award – Mince Round
The heats were held at Forth Valley College last month with more than 250 pies from throughout the country were tested for appearance, flavour, filling and appeal. The panel of judges included experts, food writers and interested consumers and the event is organised by the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders in conjunction with Lucas Ingredients and William Sword Ltd.
A message from the RAGE Group re Park of Keir decision
Saturday 16th September 2017 at 10.45am. Please join us and invite any friends or family who care about saving Park of Keir
We are walking from the two communities Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, onto Park of Keir, we aim to come together at the top of Gallow Hill at about 11.30. The aims of the walk are to:-
* show our objection to the Housing and tennis centre plan
* raise awareness of what Scottish Governments decision could mean for the area
* enjoy the lovely landscape whilst it is still here.
* meet up with our fellow objectors. It will be nice to put faces to names. There are great views from the top.
Meet at Bridge of Allan station 10.45am or outside M&S car park, Dunblane 10.45am (M&S car park is private, please park elsewhere). There will be a walk leader at each end of the route if you are not sure which way to go.
Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear, paths on Park of Keir are muddy and uneven, there are stiles and fallen trees to negotiate. It should take approximately 40 mins to get there. You can return the same way or make a longer circular walk independently. No refreshments will be provided.
Please follow the Outdoor Access Code
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Flattening Dunblane’s Hills
Dunblane is a hilly place but otherwise suitable for everyday travel by bike within the town and those hills can be ironed out by electrifying the ride. Dunblane by Cycle, a Cycling UK affiliated community group, is working in partnership with Dunblane Development Trust to run an e-bike day on Thursday 12th October. Join us at the Braeport Community Centre where 4 local ebike suppliers/hirers will be on hand to demonstrate a range of models, provide information and lead short uphill rides. Further information
The Stirling Scottish Marathon 2018 will be held on Sunday 29 April 2018. Read a letter from the Council
Entry forms can be accessed here
Decision from Scottish Government Website
Scottish Government's Notice of Intention
Scottish Reporter's Report on the Appeal
Reporter's Recommendations
10.221 Accordingly, I recommend that Scottish Ministers dismiss the appeal and refuse to grant planning permission in principle for the proposed development at Park of Keir.
10.222 However, if Ministers are minded to allow the appeal, I recommend that they grant planning permission subject to the conclusion of a section 75 agreement to secure education and affordable housing contributions in line with the provisions of Stirling Council’s Supplementary Guidance SG15 and SG16 respectively, and subject to the conditions attached to this report at Appendix 2.
Timothy Brian Reporter
From Stirling Observer 300817 Scottish ministers have confirmed that they intend to grant planning permission for the tennis, golf and housing development which is backed by Judy Murray. Plans for a tennis and golf centre at Park of Keir in Dunblane have been approved in principle. The Scottish Government have confirmed that they intend to grant planning permission for the development - which will feature 12 tennis courts and a golf academy. The development, which has been strongly opposed by some residents living in the Dunblane and Bridge of Allan areas, will also include 19 houses, a hotel, multi-user sports pitch, museum and visitor centre. Kevin Stewart, the Minister for Local Government and Housing, said: “Having carefully considered all aspects of the planning report, I am minded to grant planning permission in principle for this development - subject to conditions and the conclusion of a planning obligation. “I have concluded that the development is of significant regional and national significance. It will bring strong benefits to Scottish sport, helping in the development of elite competitors, while also providing facilities for the community. There will also be economic benefits, both to the local area and more widely. “The next step is for the planning authority and developer to work together to agree to discharge the planning obligation. Once Scottish Ministers are satisfied, they will then be able to formally grant planning permission for the proposal.”
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The decision was reached despite the Scottish Government planning reporter who considered the appeal saying some issues of concern raised by objectors were not enough grounds to refuse the application. The application had attracted 55 letters of comment, including from the Woodland Trust, and a Stop Hillside Houses Facebook group which was joined by almost 500 people.
Developers Arnbathie Developments and Dandara had appealed through the Scottish Government's planning appeals system against Stirling Council’s non-determination of their application. However, the appeal reporter decided any approval of the application would be premature given the council's 2016 Local Development Plan was currently the subject of an appeal. In his decision, appeals reporter Mike Croft said: "The project's contribution to housing supply at a time when that supply is clearly deficient weighs in its favour, but that benefit has to be seen against the loss of a greenfield site and the project's less than satisfactory public transport implications.
"Those points call into question its sustainability issues. The project is, in my view, premature in relation to the local development plan process, and the examination into the 2016 plan is well placed to take account of the need for more housing land and the extent to which Dunblane ought to expand on its south-eastern side, if at all." Mr Croft said the "internal components" of the project did not justify its rejection nor did concerns raised about infrastructure, such as education and health provision locally, and that the site was "readily available for development" and located in the 2014 Local Development Plan's core area. He added: "With a shortfall in the five-year effective housing land supply, they are important points in the project's favour. But in pure development plan terms, they are outweighed by the site's Green Belt location and the less than satisfactory public transport implications of the appeal project."
The Woodland Trust, which said this week it was "delighted" the appeal had been rejected, effectively safeguarding the woodland meantime, had objected strongly to the project claiming it would damage ancient woodland designated on Scottish Natural Heritage's Ancient Woodland Inventory as long- established woodland of plantation origin. However, Mr Croft said: I am not satisfied, however, that the project's inclusion of housing on what is now a dense, dark conifer plantation is in itself harmful. "Although it goes on to criticise the project for the absence of significant compensatory planting, it would be sufficient in my view, given the considerable extent of deciduous woodland that would remain within the appeal site, for a condition to be imposed on a permission to control its management and maintenance. Mr Croft also dismissed some objections from locals about overlooking of their houses after inspecting the site.
Dunblane businesses have been recognised for their hard work in brightening up the town. Sandy Mackay and Carolyn Murray, on behalf of local group Dunblane in Bloom, presented prizes to the Beech Tree Cafe, MacLean and Stewart Solicitors and Hairways. All three businesses were handed Mike Seal Trophies as reward for the stunning displays of colour on their shop fronts. The Beech Tree Cafe won Best Shop Front Display while the Most Improved Business Frontage trophy went to MacLean and Stewart. Hairways won the Best Hanging Basket trophy. Mr Mackay paid tribute to the hard work and creativity of all the businesses. He said:"Every year the businesses on the High Street do their bit to add to the work of Dunblane in Bloom to improve how our town looks. "I was very impressed by all the entries this year and I congratulate the winners for their hard work and commitment in making the most of their shop fronts. "I'm very grateful to George Haddock for acting as our photographer again this year." Dunblane in Bloom have been working to improve the appearance of the town and surrounding areas. The projects involve planting beds at Smithy Loan and creating a rock garden and community garden by the Faerie Bridge.
The article from the Stirling Observer 230817
Dunblane Boys Brigade is on the lookout for new members to help celebrate its big birthday.
It is a great year to get involved in the Boys’ Brigade as the organisation celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Junior Section. With lots of special events to mark the occasion, there’s never been a better year to join and at Dunblane BB, they’re keen to recruit more P4 and P5 boys in to the Junior Section as the year gets under way.
They meet on Friday nights from 6.15-7.45pm at the Cathedral Hall, with a structured, fun-filled programme of games, badge work activities, music, cooking, crafts and technology, science experiments, outdoor skills and lots more, as well as an annual weekend away and other trips and visits.
Meanwhile, our younger section, Anchor Boys (P1-P3, minimum age 5) meets each Wednesday 6.15-7.15pm (commencing 6th September) and gives boys the chance to make new friends, enjoy games, music, drama, take-home crafts, bible stories and lots more.
Company Section is for boys in P7-S6 and meets on both Friday (7.45-10pm) and Sunday (7.30-9.00pm) with many opportunities for learning life skills, first aid, serving the community, gaining awards and leadership roles, being in the outdoors, becoming a musician and even earning Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Enrolment for all sections will take place on a drop-in basis between 6pm and 8pm this Friday, 25th August at the Cathedral Halls, Dunblane (next to the Cathedral) and registration forms are available on the website at www.dunblanebb.org.uk. You are encouraged to get in touch in advance to check on availability of places: please call 01786 821387 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that there is currently a waiting list for P6. Find out more about us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @dunblanebb.
Braeport memory café is for people with mild to moderate dementia and their carers
All welcome, drop in for tea, coffee, a chat or to socialise, activities include singing, arts and crafts, board games and gentle exercise.
Braeport Centre, Dunblane : Every Wednesday afternoon 2.00pm to 4.00pm
If you are interested please contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 01786 822 422 or: 07748 219937 and leave a message or just come along.
The Braeport Memory Cafe : download the poster
