This work is not being delivered by Stirling Council or its staff. The Council was not made aware of any impending arrival of construction teams on this site and Planning Officers have visited the site today to confirm the following:
The land adjacent to the new student flats at Forthside Way and Shore Road is private and there is live planning permission covering this site for the construction of two residential blocks of flats.
The work currently being carried out by private contractors is to remove and clear vegetation prior to any construction. This process does not require any additional planning permission.
Stirling Council has prohibited contractors from accessing the site via the nearby public footpath, while investigations are underway to determine if the developer requires to satisfy any existing ‘pre-commencement’ conditions prior to development.
A meeting has been arranged between Stirling Council’s Planning officers and the developer and we have received assurances that no further access to the site will be made via Council land until all matters are resolved.
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “While we appreciate the public’s concern in this matter, we must be absolutely clear that the Council was not notified by the developer of any intention to start construction or any other works on this site.
“Planning permission, subject to conditions, for residential development on this site was granted in 2006. This consent remains live, and the site clearing that has gone on since Wednesday, although out of the blue, does not require any further planning permission.
“We have, however, prohibited contractors from accessing the site via Council land and are meeting with the developer to determine their intentions for the site.”