The Community Council is a body consisting of local residents, who meet on a monthly basis to discuss and progress issues affecting the local community, and represent the views and concerns of the Balfron residents to Stirling Council and other relevant groups. You can find details of the members of the Balfron Community Council on the About Us page. The Community Council can be contacted via email at hello@balfroncc.org.uk or by sending a message to the Balfron Community Council Facebook page.
Balfron Community Council’s Response to the Housing Development
BCC have now submitted their response to the Stirling LDP3 Balfron Site Options Survey and Spatial Strategy Options Survey. If any community members have not already done so, BCC would encourage them to also participate in the surveys by the 23rd July 2026. Links to the surveys are provided here:
https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/site-options
https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/spatial-strategy
BCC would also like to thank all community members who sent emails to us and communicated with us directly about their concerns. We have reflected these concerns in our response.
It is essential though that individual community members and resident groups also submit survey responses and supplementary information if they think it is necessary. If community members want to submit supplementary information together with survey response they can do so by sending an email to LDP@stirling.gov.uk . If anyone does send supplementary information the subject line of the email must include the unique reference number that was provided following submission of the survey response.
BCC’s response to the Stirling LDP3 Balfron Site Options Survey and Spatial Strategy Options Survey is encapsulated in the statement below which was submitted as supplementary information together with survey responses:
Balfron Community Council (BCC) Response to Site Options and Spatial Strategy Options relating to Potential New Housing Development in the Balfron Area.
June 2026
Introduction
Balfron Community Council (BCC) recognise the need for some new housing development within the Stirling and Balfron area within the next 10 year lifespan of the forthcoming Stirling Local Development Plan (LDP3). BCC also recognises the Scottish Government’s goal (as expressed through NPF4 Policy 16 – Quality Homes) to increase housing development across Scotland, and that each community needs to make its contribution to meet increasing housing needs.
The Balfron community preferences for any new housing development is set out in Balfron Local Place Plan (LPP) Proposal H1: Policy Principles for Housing Development in Balfron. Within H1, it is stated that ‘housing development on existing brownfield sites should be prioritised before greenfield sites’. Furthermore, Proposal H1, expresses support for certain housing types, promotes energy efficiency and the incorporation of renewable technologies, and that developer contributions should be included (through robust Section 75 agreements) if any housing development obtains the necessary planning permission e.g. provision of affordable housing and greenspace provision etc.
BCC does have significant concerns though that the current housing development as proposed in the Balfron – Site Options Paper – April 2026 goes far beyond ‘Sustainable Expansion’ as defined in the Evidence Report Topic 17 Stirling Local Development Plan Review March 2025 as ‘development within settlements or controlled small scale expansion of existing settlements’. The current scale of the potential new housing development sites (BFN -02 through to BFN-05) would increase the size of Balfron by over 20%, and proposed site BFN-01 more than triple the size of Balfron Station. BCC therefore Objects to overall scale of proposed new housing development (estimated at 23 Ha) relative to the size of Balfron and Balfron Station, and the quantity of housing proposed on some of the sites.
Site Options
In terms of specific concerns related to each of the Balfron Option Sites, we consider that the residents that live in the immediate vicinity of the proposed sites are best placed to raise these specific concerns, and we would request that Stirling Council LDP Team carefully consider each of the surveys and additional submissions made by residents before reaching a decision on what sites should be put forward for inclusion in the LDP.
In addition to the specific concerns raised by Balfron residents, BCC submits the following commentary on the site options:
There is particular concern regarding the size of the BFN-05 and BFN-04 potential developments in Balfron and BFN-01 in Balfron Station.
BFN-05 is over triple the size of any other site proposed at approximately 11.2 Ha and is being proposed for a capacity of up to 250 houses. This is considered disproportionate in scale relative to the size of the village and for the local roads and infrastructure to accommodate it. The area around Dunmore Street and Buchanan Street South already experiences high traffic volumes and an excess of parked vehicles, so any further development around this area should only be limited to small-scale expansion. BCC considers that if housing development in this area is considered further there should be no more than 50 new houses, and these should consist of a variety of housing types to meet local needs and include an affordable housing element. However, any new housing development in this area must be contingent upon an assessment of the local infrastructure to accommodate such expansion.
BFN-04 is also considered disproportionate in scale relative to the size of the village and for the local roads and infrastructure to accommodate it. It is certainly considered that it would not be possible for 150 houses to be accommodated on the approximately 2 Ha site. Again, added traffic volumes would be a significant concern both around the Roman Road/White Yetts Brae area and Dunmore Street. BCC considers that if development in this area is considered further there should be no more than 50 new houses, and these should consist of a variety of housing types to meet local needs and include an affordable housing element. However, any new housing development in this area must be contingent upon an assessment of the local infrastructure to accommodate such expansion.
In relation to BFN-01 in Balfron Station proposed at approximately 3 Ha and with a potential capacity for 70 houses, again this is considered disproportionate in scale relative to the size of Balfron Station and the local roads and infrastructure to accommodate it. It should be particularly noted that there are no facilities such as shops in Balfron Station so traffic volumes would increase significantly if the site went ahead as proposed as regularly car journeys would be required to access facilities in Balfron and/or Drymen. There is also no current public transport that serves this area. BCC considers that if development in this area is considered further there should be no more than 20-30 new houses located immediately adjacent to the existing Balfron Station settlement and connected to existing minor roads and pavements if possible (i.e. no new access created from the A81). Any potential development should consist of a variety of housing types to meet local needs and include an affordable housing element and must be contingent upon an assessment of the local infrastructure to accommodate such expansion.
There is also particular concern about the size of the proposed developments:
- BFN -02a on its own and in combination with BFN-02b. This is proposed at approximately 3 Ha with a potential capacity for 16-56 houses.
- BFN-03 is proposed at approximately 2.67Ha with the potential capacity for 35 houses for assisted living for the elderly.
With both sites, the main areas of development are a considerable distance from the current Balfron settlement boundary, and we would not want to see the settlement boundary of the village expanded to the extent required to accommodate them within it.
Considering the relative isolation of these two developments in the countryside, and not within the Balfron settlement boundary, BCC questions if these sites are appropriate for large scale housing development. The proposal would not follow the established development pattern and would not be sufficiently inter-visible with the existing building group and is therefore contrary to current Policy 2.10 – Housing in the Countryside of the Stirling Local Development Plan 2018 and the Supplementary Guidance: Housing in the Countryside 2020. The proposals would also be contrary to Policy 17 – Rural Homes of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).
Again, traffic volumes would increase significantly if these proposals were to go ahead, which would be a concern for the Old Manse area and Station Rd in relation to BFN-03, and the Clachan and the single tracked road leading to Little Camoquhill in relation to BFN-02a and b. In addition, if any of these proposed sites were to proceed, there would have to be significant additional infrastructure required to provide safe routes into the village. Furthermore, an affordable housing element should be included if any of these site’s progress and must also be contingent upon an assessment of the local infrastructure to accommodate such expansion.
The other potential sites in the Balfron – Site Options Paper – April 2026 are BFN-07 and BFN06, which are both infill sites within the settlement boundary.
BFN-07, is considered an appropriate place for small scale housing development, albeit we question if there is sufficient capacity for 19 houses. The site aligns with Proposal H1 in the Balfron LPP in terms of being a brownfield site within the existing settlement. If a housing development does go forward at this location, we would request that the developer also considers other elements of Proposal H1 and other relevant proposals contained in the Balfron LPP, and the relevant planning policies contained within the forthcoming Stirling LDP3. Furthermore, an affordable housing element should be included if this site progresses and must also be contingent upon an assessment of the local infrastructure to accommodate such expansion.
BFN-06 is already largely developed and designated as a Business/Employment area. Hence, future development is limited to the strip of north-eastern part of this area. BCC considers that there is only limited potential for small scale residential or a small number of business units to be accommodated here. It is not considered feasible that a further 10 houses could be accommodated in the development area remaining of this site. Furthermore, an affordable housing element should be included if this site progresses and must also be contingent upon an assessment of the local infrastructure to accommodate such expansion.
Finally, BCC reserve the right, to either object, support or raise concerns on any of the option sites that eventually come forward as a planning application in future years.
Spatial Strategy Options
BCC notes that in Spatial Strategy Options Paper 2026 that Balfron as well as Doune are being considered as new Tier 4 category settlements in the Settlement Hierarchy (pg 9). Tier 4 settlements being defined as Rural Hubs.
BCC also notes in the Spatial Strategy Options Paper 2026 on page 22 that:
‘Balfron and Doune: Having regard to the potential changes to the settlement hierarchy outlined above, the reclassification of Balfron and/or Doune as rural hubs could result in a greater concentration of growth in these locations compared with other rural villages. This would reflect their potential higher status and enhanced role within the hierarchy’.
BCC has significant concerns about being a Rural Hub settlement if this equates to greater concentrations of growth. If this is the case BCC’s preference would not to be included in this new Tier 4 category, even if we continue as an unofficial rural hub serving the Balfron area and neighbouring settlements.
BCC and the residents of Balfron do not want to see a significant greater concentration of growth of the village and the surrounding area. BCC considers that it is important to Balfron residents that with any future development proposals it is essential that the quality and the ruralness of the village is not diminished. Indeed, it should be retained and enhanced by any new development that comes forward.
BCC therefore, in relation to Balfron, favours Option 1 on page 22 of the Spatial Strategy Options Paper 2026, which would retain the development approaches set out in the existing Local Development Plan and would include Sustainable Expansion:
‘Sustainable Expansion: Focuses on concentrating development within existing settlements to support sustainable growth. This includes controlled, small-scale expansion aligned with each settlement’s size and role in the hierarchy, enabling delivery of affordable and market housing, business space, and protection of village centres to maintain their identity and function’.
However, as set out above, BCC considers that Balfron should not be included in the Tier 4 – Rural Hub category, if this would result in a greater concentration of growth.
Sustainable Development
BCC recognises the importance of sustainable development, which gives due consideration to the capacity of the existing settlement and the surrounding environment to accommodate new housing development. We therefore consider that there should be, as standard, in any new future LDP consultations an assessment of the carrying capacity of settlements and the surrounding environment undertaken prior to site options are bought forward for public consultation. BCC considers that this approach could potentially result in more realistic housing development proposals being bought forward, which gives due consideration to a settlement’s carrying capacity.
BCC would also like to see any further housing development in the village being of high quality, energy efficient, climate resilient and sensitive to the rural setting and existing building vernacular. There have been too many previous occasions when new housing in the village has not been of good quality, been energy inefficient and not sensitive to the surrounding environment. Any new housing should enhance the village and help sustain the population and the facilities available here.
Community Council Meetings
We meet every month (except January and July) and our next meeting is:
Next Meeting: Thursday 6th August 2026 at 7:30pm, Balfron High School
Minutes of previous meetings >>
Have Your Say on the Potential Balfron Housing Development Site Options
As part of the Stirling Council Local Development Plan (LDP) process, potential Balfron Housing Development Site Options are now out for consultation and there is an opportunity to have your say. The site options proposed are mainly new sites bought forward by developers (but also include some legacy sites from the last LDP). At the current time these are speculative proposals and no planning applications have come forward. Hence, if you have concerns, object or support the proposals now is the best opportunity to make comments. Once the consultation period is over, Stirling Council will then fully consider all the consultation responses before finally deciding which sites should be included in the draft LDP and then final LDP.
The deadline for the consultation is 23rd July 2026.
To have your say, you should participate in the current Site Options survey using the link below:
https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/folders/local-development-plan
There is also an opportunity to participate in the wider Spatial Strategy Options survey if your are so inclined.
Alternatively, please feed comments to Balfron Community Council and we will aim to include all responses and submit a response from BCC before the consultation deadline. Send any comments to planning@balfroncc.org.uk
How to report an issue to Stirling Council
Follow this link to raise an issue or for access to their most popular online forms
Report an issue with a park. Use this online service by following this link to report about any problems you’ve spotted in a park or play area run by Stirling Council.
Planning and Road Maintenance
You can search recent planning applications relating to Balfron on the Stirling Council website here>>
The latest rural and urban Stirling Council roads maintenance plans are available here with associated map
Latest News
Local Place Plan Submitted
The Community Council has been working on a Local Place Plan for Balfron. This has now been submitted to Stirling Council More >>
Call for new members to Balfron Community Council
Have you ideas to improve your community? We are looking for new members to join Balfron Community Council. We meet once per month and our next meeting is on 7 March. Drop a message to hello@balfroncc.org.uk if you are interested or to find out more information.
Phone box food exchange
Following its refurbishment, the phone box has been returned to Balfron and is in use. The formal opening of the refurbished phone box took place on 11 June 2022 as part of the Balfron Eco Festival. Please support the phone box as a food exchange and as a local cause in the Co-op Local Community Fund when you shop in the Balfron branch. More information on the phone box is available at the Balfron Phone Box page.
Community resilience
The Balfron resilience plan is ‘owned’ by the residents of Balfron and helps facilitate village wide communication of a major incident. The latest resilience plan for Balfron is available here >>. More information is available at Balfron Community Resilience page.
Invasive plants along the River Endrick and its tributaries
The Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust continue to focus on removal of invasive plant (giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, American skunk cabbage) and animal (American mink and signal crayfish) species. If you spot any of these invasive species or want to report any other incidents (e.g. pollution, riverbank damage) impacting the River Endrick and its tributaries please email them at l.lomondfisheriestrust@gmail.com.
