Multi-million pound plan for city

Those behind the plan say it will attract £300m of investment

Plans to attract £300m to Stirling over 15 years have been unveiled in a joint venture between the city council and global property group Valad.

The Stirling Development Agency want to develop four sites around the city in a bid to create hundreds of new jobs.

Brownfield sites at Kildean and Forthside will be developed along with Broadley's Business Park and the Castle Business Park.

Land worth an estimated £30m will be used for the project.

In August, outline planning consent was given to the organisation for a new business and leisure park at Kildean on the northern edge of the city.

Proposals for the site include 330,000 sq ft of offices, a hotel and leisure facility, as well as the new Forth Valley College campus and 300 new homes.

This unprecedented level of investment in Stirling will bring new businesses to the area and in turn this means more jobs will be created Cllr Scott Farmer

SDA Ltd has also submitted a planning application to build two office blocks within Forthside - Stirling's 40 acre waterfront regeneration area.

'Clear message'

If approved, the proposals will see a 127,000 sq ft of office space constructed on the edge of a planned civic square.

The organisation said they were also looking to redevelop the engine shed at Forthside to provide complementary leisure facilities.

The first phase of the development, which includes a multiplex cinema and restaurants, opened earlier this year.

SDA said the plans could benefit the city by £100m in five years and £300m over the next 15 years.

They have also submitted planning applications covering sites, including Burghmuir for a mixed retail scheme, and are working on proposals with the council to regenerate the Station Road and Goosecroft Road areas.

Councillor and SDA Ltd board member Scott Farmer said: "This unprecedented level of investment in Stirling will bring new businesses to the area and in turn this means more jobs will be created.

"Stirling is an attractive place to live, work and do business and this vote of confidence in Stirling by our private sector partners gives a very clear message, Stirling is growing and is very clearly open for business."