A controversial plan to build a harness racing track near the Battle of Bannockburn site has been approved by councillors.
The application includes the creation of a trotting track surface and a single storey building that would house toilets, a bar and provide hot takeaway food.
There would also be 240 parking spaces for both spectators and competitors.
The proposals, lodged by Mr H Muirhead of the Scottish Harness Racing Club, went before Stirling Council’s Planning and Regulation Panel on Tuesday.
The application will now be sent to the Scottish ministers for their determination.
In harness racing, horses compete in a specific gait whilst pulling a two wheeled cart called a sulky.
Scottish harness racing took place at Corbiewood Stadium for more than five decades, but the site was demolished in 2022 to make way for housing, as part of the South Stirling Gateway development.
Whilst searching for a new base, the Scottish Harness Racing Club has used the grass track at Haugh Field, as the next nearest hard track is located in York.
The club hopes to use land located west of New Line Road and south of Fairhill Road at Whins of Milton, which is currently an agricultural field.
Development will “destroy” historic battlefield, says National Trust
The National Trust for Scotland said it was “shocked and disappointed” to see the development was approved and asked Scottish Government ministers to “call in the application for proper scrutiny and their own determination”.
Stuart Brooks, director of conservation and policy, said: “The development will destroy one of the few remaining undeveloped areas of the designated historic battlefield, and it will see one of the last green wedges disappear from Stirling.
“The proposed car parking for over 200 cars, and the accompanying new accesses, have been identified as having an elevated risk of collision on the main road, endangering residents and visitors.
“And the amplified public address systems, along with crowd noise, will greatly detract from the visitor experience at a nationally important historic site.”
Mr Muirhead, the applicant, told councillors they held the “future of Scottish harness racing” in their hands.
He explained there had been a drop in Scottish competitors due to having no track and told councillors they would return if the facility was approved.
“It [Scottish harness racing] breathes but it’s currently gasping and it may soon die,” said Mr Muirhead. “It has a right to be defended, enabled and promoted. As a nation, it is our duty to enable this national endeavour to breathe and grow again.”
Alan Rae spoke on behalf of local residents who opposed the trotting track. Their concerns included the corruption of the battlefield, erosion of the greenbelt, flooding, increased traffic and its impact on current infrastructure.
“We appreciate that trotting has a long history in this area and understand their desire for an all-weather British standard track but strongly believe that Bannockburn Battlefield is not the place,” he said.
Controversy over plans
The application attracted more than 100 responses from around the UK – from Northern Ireland to Hartley – both for and against the proposal.
Local residents voiced concerns over the influx of vehicles that the track would bring, describing it as “inconvenient” and “dangerous”, as well as noise pollution and the historical significance of the site.
Supporters said the track was needed for harness racing to “survive” in Scotland and would bring a “financial benefit” to the Bannockburn area.
Councillors also approved the redevelopment of Craigforth Campus, subject to certain conditions being met by developers.
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