Plean Community Council
Minute of Meeting 17 March 2025 6pm East Plean Primary
Present: Scott Richards (Chair), Robert McWilliam (Treasurer), Zoe Nolan (Secretary) David
Waghorn, Catherine Ann Robertson, William Silvestro, Fiona McNIcol (6.30pm onwards) (Wendy
McAlpine (Minutes).
Other Attendees – Brian Hambly, Bob Buchanan, Sharon McGrouther, Graham FOPCP, Sharon
Marklow and representatives from Duries Hill/Barratt Development.
Welcome, Apologies and Conflict of Interest - Scott welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies from
Leah Easton, Stuart McCluckie. No conflict of interest declared.
Approval of Minutes – Minutes of meeting 17th Feb 2025 proposed by Zoe Nolan and seconded by
Robert McWilliam. Wendy will send a copy to S Bly.
Durieshill Infrastructure – Sharon Marklow (Stirling Council) and representatives from the Durieshill
Development team gave updates on progress. Springfield is no longer involved in the development
and only Barratt are now involved. David Leslie, Engineering Manager, showed plans regarding the
development layout, drainage and proposed access to site. Infrastructure works will begin soon and
lots of questions and queries raised regarding the proposals. Cadgers Loan and Roman Road will be
widened to install an active travel route of 3m wide footpath and cycleway, probable start date of
May and will probably be a road closure with local access only for approx. 20 weeks for each phase
of work. A contractor is still to be appointed. Concerns raised regarding speed of traffic and what
speed control measures will be introduced as part of this work. Changing to a residential
development area should naturally reduce drivers speed along with signage and a drop in speed
limit. Developers will work with Council regarding all aspects of road safety and planning. Scott
raised the point that funding was approved in the Council budget for this work to be done previously
and Sharon confirmed that Council will work with Developer to make this road area as safe as
possible without wasting any Council funds. Proposed Primary School has been approved, and
Sharon advised that weekly meetings are still being held regarding all aspects relating to this.
Initially construction traffic will access site via President Kennedy Drive for approx. 2 ½ years until
other access is constructed from the A872.
Access into Plean Country Park will be encapsulated into developer work to upgrade the road and
junction.
Children will attend Bannockburn Primary until the onsite school is constructed.
Regarding Health services the Developers will pay £895 per unit (at appropriate times) into a new
Plean Practice as agreed with NHS Forth Valley and they will then allocate appropriately. (sect 75).
Timescales for first housing completion is Aug 2026. A website is available with all details of site
work and plans which should be kept fully updated by the Council/Developers.
Action points – Developers should be fully aware of Councils proposed actions for Junction and
Plean NHS hub moving forward.
Bruce Street playpark – Brian Hambly is still chasing this issue; alternative funding is available via
Scottish Government and the right money should be used in the correct place for the correct
items/work. Scott has been chasing this biweekly with James Aikman and works were delayed due
to adverse weather and the capital finance system not allowing orders to be placed. Scott advised
the latest update is the Cableway has been costed and ordered (all equipment). PCC asked for
nothing to be done until the park had been made safe (fences, carpeting, repairs, landscaping etc).
Brian advised that Council has £538,000 funding for refurbishment of playparks which includes
slippage from previous years, Section 75 money should be used to replace or install new equipment
and not refurbishment. Scott reiterated that the park needs to be accessible for all. Scott continues
to chase, and Brian and Bob will continue to chase also. PCC council feels previous agreements with
the Council regarding the works have not been honoured and asked for all works to be paused until
a further meeting can be arranged.
Main Street Planters and Zebra Crossing – PCC continue to chase a resolution to this issue. 12/3
chased again and Lynsey has raised with Gary Neill but has heard nothing further, the proposal has
been agreed and needs now to be implemented for the planters.
Regarding the crossing Lynsey has asked Angela McGibbon to engage more consistently re this.
Power appears to be in place.
Impending construction traffic will only add to the difficulties caused by not having an adequate
crossing at the main street shops.
Police Report – 4 detected cases of crime 17/2-12/3 all 4 were road traffic offences. 5 undetected
cases. 33 calls re anti-social behaviour and domestic violence.
Planning Report - Cornerstone want to turn the mobile tower between Cowie and Sauchenford from
a 12m tower to a 21m tower, which will make it much more prominent and its already in an elevated
position. Scott asked to be kept updated.
Chairs Report – Development presentation was very useful tonight. Discontent as outcomes not
being delivered by Stirling Council that have been agreed with the Community Council and that faith
has not been restored.
Treasurers Report – Transfer of account to Virgin Money has been completed. BOFS provided
another £30 compensation after issues with closure of old account. £381.82 bal in account. £80
approx for printer cartridges due to Bob McWilliam and vote agreed this suitable use of funds.
Elected Member Report - Bob Buchanan introduced himself and discussed his hopes for his future
work on behalf of the village of Plean and its residents. Increase in rents at 7.25% and council tax at
8.8% will have a detrimental impact on households. Brian Hambly and Bob are looking into the split
between Sect 75 and Council Funds being used to upgrade Bruce Street playpark. They hope to
persuade the Council use to more of their allocated funds so that Sect 75 monies can be used for
other projects in the village. They are also looking at Cadgers Brae junction to see what
improvements can be made to make it safer. Good to see the Toucan crossing at school has finally
been completed. We plan to arrange a visit to the school to discuss if it has had any impact on the
children and safety. Bob McWilliam asked if he was aware of criteria of how government playpark
renewal funds are supposed to be spent, he will forward a copy to Bob Buchanan. Children and
families should be consulted on this issue, and he is not aware of anything like this being done.
Fiona asked about new refuge collection arrangements and ongoing rat issues in the village. 2
separate collection days will take time to get used to and everyone has been issued with calendars
with all collection dates and times. 2nd bins can be requested as appropriate.
Residents View - Graham FOPCP advised they met with Land Services and FOPCP re community
garden/allotments and hope to gauge interest in the project by the community moving forward. A
meeting will be arranged if appropriate at a future date. Flyers will be put in shops etc.
AOCB – Sharon McGrouther apologised for late arrival. She advised the Credit Unions are still
working on a process and an update will be provided at a future meeting. Sharon advised that
playpark funding is available every year. Jackie Stewart reached out re the Plean House and Stables
project so Scott will discuss same and update. Thanks to Sharon for organising the meeting with a
resilience officer 2/4/25 at EPPS at 6pm regarding a pilot scheme. Scott and Bob will attend and
advise details discussed at a future meeting. Bob brought up the speed of Vehicles on Cadgers Brae
and the ongoing issue.
Next meeting East Plean Primary Scholl 19th May 2025 6pm
AGM 7.30pm