GRAHAM’S The Family Dairy – in partnership with Mactaggart & Mickel Homes – has lodged an appeal to the Court of Session to overturn the Scottish Government’s decision to refuse planning permission for the 600-home Airthrey Kerse development in Stirlingshire.
The dairy firm wanted to build a £40 million processing, R&D and training facility, described as the “single largest investment” in the Scottish dairy industry in a generation.
The firms said the appeal was submitted on the grounds that the decision to reject plans was not within the powers of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and was “based on irrelevant information being taken into account”.
The planning application included provision for 600 houses – including 150 affordable units – a new primary school and public park.
Robert Graham, MD of Graham’s the Family Dairy said, “We believe compelling grounds exist which has culminated in our joint appeal with Mactaggart & Mickel Homes to the Court of Session. We are extremely disappointed by the Minister’s decision, which we maintain placed more importance on continuing to protect a failed Local Development Plan process than supporting the delivery of much needed homes, infrastructure and creating 500 new full-time jobs within the city of Stirling and the Scottish dairy sector and £65.3 million gross value added (GVA) per annum into the Scottish economy.”
Mactaggart & Mickel group director Andrew Mickel added, “This proposed development would provide desperately needed affordable homes, together with a wealth of new amenities including a new primary school, publicly accessible parkland and a local neighbourhood centre.
“Stirlingshire is in the midst of a housing shortfall and it is very disappointing that the Government’s apparent short-sightedness is failing to see the bigger investment and growth picture that could bring real improvements for the future.”
