£330m plans clear final hurdle

The plans at Forestmill include new homes, a school and a hotel

Councillors in Clackmannanshire have given approval for major plans to create a new village in the Forestmill area of the county.

The £330m development by Hermiston Securities, of the Muir Group, includes more than 1,000 new homes, a school, shops, a hotel and golf course.

The plans, which have been 10 years in the making, could create almost 1,000 jobs in the area.

Work will now begin on the development, which is due for completion in 2025.

The decision by planners at Clackmannanshire Council follows the backing of Scottish ministers in June.

'Biggest application'

The development, the largest ever considered by Clackmannanshire Council, is part of plans by the local authority to raise the area's population to 57,000.

Planning committee convenor Alastair Campbell said the development was a major boost for Clackmannanshire.

He added: "Over the past few years we have seen significant public sector investment in Clackmannanshire, with the A907, three new secondary schools, the Clackmannanshire Bridge and the reopening of the railway.

"This is easily the biggest application we have come across and it represents £330m of private sector investment."

The proposal will also see the developer restore and enhance the opencast Meadowhill coal mine which sits adjacent to the village.