Perth-born businesswoman Ann Gloag is behind ambitious plans to create a major development on the outskirts of Dunblane.
Mrs Gloag, who founded transport company Stagecoach with her brother Sir Brian Souter, has drawn up a proposal of application for the land at Anchorcross and Stirling Road, lodged under Gloag Investments, with the aim being to build sports and leisure facilities, a garden centre, schools, a fire station, a police station and an ambulance centre.
Concerns have been raised in certain quarters over the number of planned developments for the area, with the high-profile proposal of Judy Murray and Colin Montgomerie to open a golf and tennis academy and a hotel at Park of Keir, on the outskirts of Stirling University and south of Dunblane.
Chris Finnerty, of the Not In My Name campaign, has been quoted as saying: “Our objection is to the wanton destruction of our green space, which should be protected for future generations.
“The community needs to rise up, because developers are just motivated by profit.”
He continued: “Mrs Gloag is a millionaire. She doesn’t need to make money by destroying the green belt around Dunblane.”
Graham Houston, councillor for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, added: “It is quite clear that residents in Dunblane have no wish for more large-scale housing developments in our town.
“Dunblane is already the largest settlement outwith the city of Stirling but lacks many of the basic facilities to service the population.
“The residents of Dunblane know that this is an attractive place to work and live.
“We expect the council to meet its population growth expectations by creating areas for housing growth over the wide expanse of the council area and not simply add to the existing conurbations.”
Terence O’Byrne, chairman of Dunblane Community Council, added his voice to the argument, saying: “Dunblane has had enough development over the last 15 years and has done its bit.”