Falkirk Council: Gilson Park project returns to planning committee

The development in Polmont’s Gilston Park, which would also include commercial and retail development, is to return to Falkirk Council’s planning committee next week.

The 55-acre development was first proposed in 1998 but has proved controversial as many local residents were concerned that local schools, health services and transport would be overwhelmed.

Over the years, successive planning committees have refused to give it the green light. Crucially, however, the Scottish Government reporter decided that the Gilston site should be added to the Local Development Plan when it was updated in 2020.

And developers Hansteen Land Ltd say well-known housebuilders CALA Homes are prepared to come on board to deliver the new houses.

In February this year, councillors decided that a site visit was in order before making a decision – but the complexity of the situation meant that a follow-up report could not be completed before the local elections in May.

In the wake of those elections, the committee that will now examine the proposals next Wednesday has several new members who will have to look carefully at the issues.

Planning officers are recommending ‘minded to grant’ approval which would be subject to a legal agreement being reached that would include contributions to local schools, healthcare, active travel routes and bus services.

The applicants say they are providing a site with attractive open spaces that will deliver housing and local jobs along with new healthcare facilities.

They estimates that the delivery of this new mixed-use neighbourhood over the next eight to nine years would see an investment of over £120 million.

And it will, they say, support in the region of 150 construction jobs per year, with the final completed neighbourhood supporting 300 to 400 full-time equivalent jobs.

They also highlight that the development will also provide 125 affordable homes as part of the housing mix, a key factor for those making the final decision.

But questions around the plans remains and since the last planning committee meeting Brightons Community Council has raised several concerns about the development increasing the risk of flooding.

Councillors have also been seeking reassurance about the impact of bad smells from the landfill site nearby in Polmont and about the location of a secondary access point to the site on Gilston Crescent.

Falkirk Council’s planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday, September 21.