KILLEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20 NOVEMBER 2024

 

 

 

 

CC1464 - MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 16 October 2024

Amend made to TPO update (page 3): The All Killearn Archive Group have already carried out a survey which is available for use. 

 

Approved (Michael Bowdidge and Fiona Rennie)

 

 

CC1465 – MATTERS ARISING

• Oak Tree in the park

Members of the community have requested further security measures - KCC have communicated this but are awaiting a response from Stirling Council.

 

• Blane Smiddy Bridge

Works are now complete.. A review of the traffic lights has been completed and the temporary lights will remain in place until there has been consultation with the community. A community update has been requested. 

 

• Station Road Pavement Work has now started.

 

 

CC1466 – POLICE MATTERS

Matt McCammon from Police Scotland sent his apologies. Fiona gave the following Police Report:

 

● Community Engagement

PC Laura Newlands joins the Forth & Endrick ward community Policing Team. She comes with 6 years’ response policing experience having spent the majority of her service within the Falkirk / Grangemouth area. 

 

● Theft

A report was received of an attempted theft from a clothing donation bank between 18th – 23rd October, where attempts were made to force the lock securing the donation bank.  Although no items were taken, there was damage reported to the lock.  Following enquiries, no suspect was identified.   

 

A report was received of a theft of a mobile phone.  The mobile phone had been left within a taxi and was subsequently taken.  Following enquiries, no suspect was identified.   

 

● Road traffic

While on patrol, officers dealt with a male in regard to driving without having a valid insurance policy in place for the vehicle.  The vehicle was seized by Police and the male was reported to the Court.

 

● Other

A report was received of livestock worrying whereby a dog, off the leash, chased and killed a sheep.  The dog owner was traced, cautioned and charged and a report has been submitted to the Court.

 

The full police report is available on KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk

 

 

CC1467 – KCFC UPDATE

Graham Fraser gave the following update:

 

• The Annual Fireworks Display

Thanks to all for the donations to the 2024 fireworks event. Funds raised were better than ever this year and the collection of cash on entry was seen as the best and quickest way to raise funds but KCFC is looking at alternative cashless options.

 

The aim for KCFC is to clearly communicate the  plan each year. It is hoped that this allows for those in the village to prepare and cause minimal disruption to both people and pets. No antisocial behaviour was recorded by Police Scotland. 

 

Fiona raised thanks to Calum McLean and Euan Shaw for their skills in building the bonfire. 

 

• Country Markets

These will be popping up in the Village Hall on 7th and 13th Dec. 

 

• Killearn Christmas Tree

Thanks again to the team at Edenmill for donating a Christmas tree for Killearn Kirk. The tree will be erected on Saturday 7th December. 

 

• Youth Groups
  • number of local youth groups including the girl guides, cubs and scouts have helped with the fireworks brochure distribution and have been given a small donation.

 

• Cycling Killearn - Bike Event 
  • successful event. Recyke-a-bike https://www.recyke-a-bike.co.uk/ from Stirling came to the village to host a bike maintenance workshop. Over 25 bikes were donated for recycling which brings the total to 65+ bikes over the last year.

 

• Killearn Courier

The November issue came out last week. 

 

 

 

• Killearn Trust

Jim Ptolomey presented a number of updates: 

• A donation will be made to the Killearn Christmas Lights

 

• Killearn Trust is in the process of updating their properties

 

• The gas governor at the corner of the old bank (West Homes) is to be replaced. New legislation means this can no longer be situated under a highway. Killearn Trust have been approached about green space nearby to reinstate it underground. The preferred location is at the top of the Glebe but no commitment has been made at this stage.

 

Noted that Killearn Trust cannot sell land. 

 

 

CC1468 – PLANNING AND LOCAL PLACE PLAN

• A note on General Planning discussions

Elizabeth and Fiona met with Sharon Marklow and Richard Miller from SC’s Planning & Building Standards team who confirmed that although any comments or objections submitted by KCC count as 1x voice it is taken into consideration that this is on behalf of the wider community. 

 

If early contact is made Stirling Council can help KCC understand the case for and / or against a particular  proposal. 

 

Further meetings / discussions to be had in order to see if the process can be more reflective of the wider community view.

 

The objective is to build a more constructive and collaborative relationship with SC. 

 

Tasha Houchin (KCC Planning Consultant) presented the following update:

• 6 Applications have been submitted:

1. 24/00644/FUL

77 Main Street - For painting existing iron railings and window and door surrounds, new driveway gates and new flues. Also changes to planning approval 24/00048/FUL including altered design and position of garage, shed and greenhouse, change of design of 1no. window in extension and change to area of hard surfacing.

 

2. 24/00663/FUL

    65 Lampson Road - Side extension to replace existing conservatory, internal alterations and new deck to the rear.

 

3. TREENQ- 2024-094

1 Beech Drive - Felling of Ash.

 

4. 24/00675/FUL

26 Graham Road - Extension to side and rear of dwelling house and erection of porch on front elevation.

 

5. 24/00648/FUL

Carbeth Lodge Drumtian Road - Conversion and extension of garage into ancillary accommodation for main dwellinghouse (previous Reference: 21/00930/FUL) – this is a request for an extension to the validity period of a previous permission.

 

• 4 Applications have been approved:
  1. 24/00414/LBC - Carbeth House Drumtian Road
  2. 24/00540/FUL - 6 Branziert Road
  3. 24/00548/FUL - Two Oaks 41 Station Road
  4. 24/00581/FUL - Land Northwest Of Oakwood Garden Centre

Questions have been asked about the approval of the new metal electric entrance gates, new stone wall to entrance and driveway resurfacing at Two Oaks. KCC are unsure as to why the planning team did not take the roads department safety concerns into consideration. 

• Land At Drumore Wood Gartness Road Killearn - application for the Formation of new access {24/00655/FUL}

A member of the community raised the following points: 

• Why is a new entrance required when the existing track seems perfectly adequate?
• The new road site is hollow, frequently flooded and very narrow (3m wide) making it dangerous causing concern over safety and lack of site lines.
• Due to its situation there was concern around fly tipping, lack of lighting and no suggestion of a gate across the new access road. (The old road has a padlocked gate)
• Gartness Road is a single track road and can’t handle an increase in traffic, especially HGV’s. Additional points added around the road being a popular route for walkers and cyclists.
• Unease expressed over potential housing/chalet plans and the harm this will cause the wildlife in the woodland. A valued community space.

 

In summary - the objections are on the basis of traffic/safety and the unnecessary destruction of ancient woodland.

 

Michael Bowdidge (KCC) outlined for the record that the application being discussed is technically outside the Killearn boundaries. 

 

David Young (applicant) was in attendance alongside a number of those who have submitted objections to the application. David presented his response to those who had objected and covered the following points:

• David has been a resident of Killearn all his life.
• He purchased Drumore Wood in 1993 when it was dying woodland. The Youngs have worked hard to create drainage and invested in replanting to improve the woodland, including a variety of age structures and species.
• The application is for a small extension of the road and nothing else. It was noted that only the scope of the submitted application can be discussed - nowhere on the submitted application does it mention chalets/housing.
• On Thursday 3rd August 2017 David met with the roads department to enquire about the new entrance. David was advised that a planning application was not required - this was confirmed by Planning Officer Mark Laird.
• On 5th July 2018 the planning enforcement officer outlined that no action was required apart from the appropriate removal of loose materials, which is in line with guidance online (Paragraph 19 exemptions)
• SEPA also confirmed the above regulations were being adhered to.
• The current road access is no longer adequate due to the use of larger lorries (45ft) with different wheel spacing making it difficult to manoeuvre.
• Despite most of the timber being removed there is still another hectare to recoup.
• Fly Tipping is an issue already and David regularly deals with garden waste being left in the area. 
• David outlined that the wood is their asset and as per the Scottish Right to Roam law those in the area have access. He noted that there are 12 to 15 regular walkers of the wood.
• David noted that any works done in Drumore Wood will be mindful of the Cemetery and highlights that they gifted the land which is now host to the Cemetery car park.

 

A follow up question was asked by a member of the audience around the underlying reason for this large investment with no means for return - highlighting that David’s licence to fell timber has expired and the majority of timber has indeed been removed. 

 

David responded that this is irrelevant and he can reapply for his licence whenever it is required. 

 

David made it clear that should they in the future apply for chalet planning these will be a valuable asset to the community as there is no longer adequate rental accommodation in the area, and hopes that KCC will support them in this endeavour. The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) focusses on “Attracting new investment and stimulating economic growth”.

 

It was noted by Tasha Houchin (Planning Consultant) that National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was adopted and published on 13 February 2023, when it became part of the Development Plan (replacing NPF3 and Scottish Planning Policy). Until the Development Plan is in place, likely 2027, NPF4 takes precedence over anything else. 

 

Another member of the audience highlighted that there is an existing pre application for chalets. There was a general call for more honesty around the real reason for the new access road which many understand is required ahead of the Chalet planning application being put through. It was also raised that the existing track has been sufficient for the last 4 years while the majority of forestry has been removed, so questions over why a new track is needed now.

 

KCC members felt that there should be further clarification in some areas. It was then voted on and agreed that Killearn Community Council will submit a comment that encompasses  the general feeling of the community and concerns beyond this application about plans for development of chalets etc. within this ancient woodland plot. It will also request more information around the following points: 

• Ecology
• Flooding
• Tree Survey
• Distance between the 2 access points (existing and proposed)

 

Given the number of objections so far, this application will be going to a planning panel. 

 

• TPO (Tree Preservation Order)

There is a keenness amongst the community to increase the area TPO in the village.  KCC have been in touch with the TPO officer to review and extend the areas highlighted. Awaiting confirmation on when this will happen. 

 

• Local Place Plan (LPP)

Phase 2 Survey is now underway - 21 responses have been received so far. 

The 5x follow up questions cover: 

1. Green Spaces
2. Play & Recreation
3. Housing
4. Facilities
5. Character

Thank you to those who have completed it; and a request to those who haven't done so yet to use the following link to complete the Survey: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3MTG73Y

 

CC1469 – ROADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPORT ● Road Closure - Gartness Road 

2nd - 20th December to facilitate repairs to a verge slip.  

 

This Order will close C31 from its junction with the A811 to its junction with the C58. The Order will also suspend the parking on C31 from a point 300 metres or thereby west of the junction with the C58 in a westerly direction for a distance of 150 m. 

 

• Drumtian Road - Unofficial Speed Bump

Signs have now been erected to warn road users of the bump in the road. 

 

• Potholes

Potholes can be reported to the council in 2 ways: 

1. Stirling Council website “Report It” https://www.stirling.gov.uk/report-it/
2. “Fix My Street” https://www.fixmystreet.com/

 

It was highlighted at the meeting that Stirling Council must respond within 7 working days to anything reported and is therefore the most effective method. 

 

• Disabled Bay at Killearn Pharmacy

Michael Bowdidge has received confirmation that the parking bay will be repainted soon.

 

• Station Road Puddle

A member of the community brought this to attention - the puddle has been reported a number of times with no action. Cllr Rosemary Fraser has asked for the details to be emailed to her for action. 

 

CC1470 – CORRESPONDENCE

Fiona reported on the following correspondence:

• 2024/2025 Administration & Minute Taker Grant Funds of £861.04 have now been received.

 

 

CC1471 – QUESTION TIME

• Advent Windows

Advent Windows starts on Sunday 1st December, and every night to 24th  December. The guides will launch the series by singing carols outside the Co-op from 6.15pm.

Any questions please contact Lindsay at killearn.advent.windows@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

• Christmas Post

Post your local Christmas cards at the Co-op, Pharmacy or The Kirk from Saturday 30th November (to addresses within the village). All donations go to CHAS - Children’s Hospices Across Scotland. 

 

Final pickups: 

• Co-op & Pharmacy 5pm  Saturday 14th December
• Killearn Kirk   1pm  Sunday 15th December

 

CC1472 – COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Rosemary Fraser highlighted that budget discussions are underway and are looking for comments from local communities. Stirling Council are working on creating achievable budgets for 2025. Please email Rosemary directly if you have any questions. 

 

CC1473 – TREASURER’S REPORT

Andrew Donaldson presented the following report:

 

Admin and Hall hire                - £62  

Administration Grant               + £861.04

Current balance of funds        £976.67

 

CC1474 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

• Killearn Broadband Group

Set up at the back of the room to talk to anyone interested in Digital Voice and the roll out of fibre broadband after the meeting. 

 

• Community Christmas Cards

KCC has previously worked with the 4 local nurseries to create and deliver cards and goodies for the older residents in the village. KCC looks forward to supporting this effort again ahead of Christmas. 

 

• 2023/2024 NHS Forth Valley’s Annual Review - Public Session

Thursday 28th November 2024 from 1.00pm – 2.00pm at the Board Headquarters, Carseview House, Castle Business Park, Stirling FK9 4SW.

You can attend either online (an MS Teams link will be sent to you in advance) or in person by completing the short registration form in the link below: 

https://nhsforthvalley.com/event/annual-review/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGtyLRleHRuA2Fl bQIxMQABHZjPPOwdCqc5QuuTgl6zBTnLQmYoISHfRg_PMzRFo5rtSAGJoDYK

TmieNQ_aem_1WG0H8g_nzX7fbai_TYyVA

You can also register by phone by calling 01786 457397 during normal office hours.

 

CC1475 – DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING 

The next KCC meeting will be held at 8.00 pm on Wed. 18th December 2024 in the Garden Room at the Village Hall.   

The meeting ended at 9.45 pm.