Stirling Council’s Planning and Regulation Panel gave the green light for the construction of a ten-classroom primary school catering for 292 pupils, as well as an Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision for 18 pupils.

The school will be part of a community campus that will also have play spaces, a sports pitch, alongside an outdoor learning space and landscaped grounds.

 The expansion of the primary school to cater for 424 pupils, and deliver a pre-school nursery, had in principle received planning permission, but it will be subject to future applications.

In February this year in Durieshill, ground had broken at and the collaboration between Stirling Council and Barratt and David Wilson Homes has led to the largest housing development to have gained detailed planning approval within Scotland.

 Councillor Alasdair MacPherson, convener of the Planning and Regulation Panel, said: “This approval marks another important milestone in the development of Durieshill and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable, thriving communities.

 “The new community campus is an investment in children, families and the long term future of the new community at Durieshill, ensuring it’s a well-connected and vibrant place to live, work and learn.”

 Andrew Curran, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes West Scotland, said: “Durieshill will be a best in class example of high-quality placemaking, which goes beyond the provision of new homes.

 “The inclusion of the new school and community campus is essential to the wider vision of this project, and will be fundamental to delivering a flourishing, self-sustaining community that supports residents at every stage of life.

 “Working with our partners at Stirling Council, we will support the delivery of new infrastructure, services and amenities creating not just a development but a complete community.” 

 The work on the 593-acre Durieshill site, between Bannockburn and Plean, will see over 3,000 new homes being delivered, with a quarter of this being affordable. 

 Construction is anticipated to span 30 years and, alongside the new school, it will also include local shops and a business park, civic spaces, new play areas and open space. Community woodland and travel routes to Stirling and Plean will also be included.

The first homes in this stage of the development are anticipated to be completed by summer next year, with the early stages of infrastructure, road enhancements and travel routes due to be completed this summer. 

 Durieshill was first chosen as the desired location for a large growth area by Stirling Council during 2004 and is an allocated site in the Stirling Local Development Plan. 

 Detailed planning consent was released for Durieshill during December 2023. That year, Stirling Council gave the green light for support for the capital investment required for developing the education and transport infrastructure on the site - nearly £57 million over the course of 24 years.

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes were later named the lead developer, acquiring the entire site from Springfield Properties during spring last year.