A major development on a 6.77-hectare site north of Gartness Road in Drymen has received unanimous approval from the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. The decision by the National Park Authority’s Planning & Access Committee moves a long-identified housing site closer to realisation, bringing multiple benefits including much-needed housing, improved infrastructure, and enhanced facilities for the local community.
Proposed by Springfield M&M Homes Limited, the development will feature 65 new houses, comprising 43 for the open market and 22 affordable homes. It also includes an expanded public parking area, new public toilets, recycling facilities, and native landscaping designed to enhance biodiversity and provide new access and recreation opportunities for both visitors and residents.
Claire Chapman, Chair of the Planning & Access Committee, stated: “The approval of this significant housing development on land that has been identified for housing for many years is a positive step forward for the local community and the wider area. This permission will deliver a multitude of benefits which extend beyond a much-needed boost to local housing availability.”
She added: “Permission for this application took into consideration local sensitivities and the need to deliver positive outcomes without placing pressure on local services, infrastructure, the surrounding landscape and biodiversity of the area. This decision also reflects priorities identified by residents through their own Local Place Plan, demonstrating how community led planning can help to deliver positive placed-based change for people and nature in the National Park.”
This decision coincides with the National Park Authority's work on piloting a new Local Development and Land Use Plan (LDLUP). This initiative makes it the first in Scotland to integrate planning and land use into a single, comprehensive plan. The LDLUP will be informed by Local Place Plans, a thorough evidence report, and an upcoming public consultation.
The LDLUP, set to guide the National Park Authority from 2028-2038, will designate areas for development and conservation, and outline strategies for land management and protection to achieve optimal outcomes for nature, climate, and people. The applicant, Springfield M&M Homes Limited, is now responsible for progressing the approved development in Drymen. The approval is contingent upon a Section 75 legal agreement and several conditions to ensure all planning requirements are met.
