Councillors have given the green light to the construction of a pair of new primary schools to serve two new housing developments planned near Bannockburn.
Members of the children’s and young people’s committee have approved the new schools for those set to move into the Durieshill and South Stirling Gateway developments, which have both been approved.
More than 4,000 new homes are set to be built across the two developments, which cover the area between the Pirnhall junction of the M9 and Bannockburn.
The mega-project at Durieshill has been subject of almost 20 years of wrangling between Stirling Council and developers Springfield Properties before securing approval in September 2023.
The 593-acre site between Bannockburn and Plean will host more than 3,000 new homes – with a quarter of this set to be dedicated to affordable housing.
Alongside the properties, various amenities will also be introduced at Durieshill including new schools, local shops and business park, civic areas, new playparks, community woodland and active travel routes to Stirling and Plean.
Meanwhile, the South Stirling Gateway plans are expected to deliver more than 800 homes, of which close to 200 will be allocated to affordable housing.
The site is located between Pirnhall and Bannockburn, with developer Persimmon Homes offered initial approval in October 2020, with the detailed plans since revised.
Early estimates have suggested the housebuilding at Durieshill will produce around 600 primary school age children by the conclusion, with South Stirling Gateway expected to have 300 pupils residing in that development.
Cllr Danny Gibson, children and young people convener, said: “The population of Stirling will increase as families move into the homes created in Durieshill and South Stirling Gateway.
“The initial creation of two new primary schools and catchment areas will serve these emerging communities as building and construction work progresses over the coming years.
“As Stirling continues to grow and flourish, this decision underlines our commitment to provide infrastructure for children’s learning and development and develop new thriving and sustainable communities.”
An initial seven classroom school will be built in South Stirling Gateway, expected to be required by the 2026/27 academic term, followed by a four classroom extension in 2033/34 depending on roll projection estimates.
Durieshill’s new primary school will initially comprise of 10 classrooms, also with an ability to extend by another four classrooms if required. An additional primary school will be delivered at Durieshill in a later phase of work.
Children from both South Stirling Gateway and Durieshill will be accommodated at Bannockburn Primary School until construction of the primary schools are complete.
Initially, both primary schools will feed into Bannockburn High School when completed.