Trust welcomes decision on Bannockburn

The Trust has previously asserted that the planning process had been flawed and that Stirling Council should not have approved the scheme, given its visual and other impacts on the historic battlefield.

The proposed trotting track, car parking, fencing and buildings, in green fields adjacent to the battlefield centre and parkland managed and cared for by the Trust, would have been directly visible from the Rotunda, which acts as a national monument to commemorate the 1314 battle which changed the course of Scottish history. Stirling Council approved the application in July last year despite many objections, and it was subsequently ‘called in‘ by Scottish Ministers.

The Trust’s Acting Director of Conservation & Policy, Diarmid Hearns, said: ‘This is very welcome news for the Trust and all who care about Scotland’s heritage and history.

‘Ministers‘ conclusions closely accord with our stated views that this development was simply in the wrong place and would have badly impacted upon the setting of the battlefield.

‘We hope that this decision brings this matter to an end and that the developer withdraws to a new site elsewhere that will not impinge on places of historical importance.‘

Last August, the Trust asked for Scottish Ministers to call in the decision by Stirling Council to allow the development.