Market plans are given go ahead

United Auctions submitted new plans for the livestock market

Campaigners against plans for a £10m livestock market in Stirling said they were disappointed after councillors gave it the green light.

They also agreed that a clause stating the land should be returned to agricultural use if the market ceased to trade, should be deleted.

The Section 75 agreement for the site was deemed to be "too onerous".

Operator United Auctions said it had to replace its 40-year-old market which it said was no longer fit for purpose.

United Auctions was forced to submit new plans for the market in December after the original project was thrown out by councillors.

'Safeguard land'

After the special council meeting on Friday, local protest group Blairdrummond Against Market said it would now be asking the Scottish Executive to call the application in and decide on it.

The group's Eleanor Graham told BBC Scotland's news website: "Its not done and dusted yet.

"What has been decided today does not go far enough to safeguard the site against further development if the market ceases to trade.

"We believe that the council has gone against the advice of its planning department and against its structure plan and has attracted a lot of objections."

'Difficult journey'

She added: "We are not against this development for Stirling and do not want to see the Auction Market fail but it should have been important to safeguard it from further development."

But Neil McLean, joint managing director at United Auctions, said he was "absolutely delighted" by the decision.

"It's almost the end of a long and difficult journey and we're looking forward to creating one of Europe's best marts," he said.

"Our proposals require the approval of the Scottish Executive whom we hope will endorse this flagship development given its economic significance to the city of Stirling."