News 23.10.2008

Forthside development set to continue as planning permission is granted

Stirling Council’s planning panel has recently granted permission for the city’s £100m Forthside project.

The Forthside development includes a new civic square, a conference hotel, office blocks, a restaurant and a bar all located on a prominent 40-acre waterfront site adjacent to the main rail station. Landscape architect Gillespies has masterplanned the site as well as designing all the public spaces including a riverfront park.

Panel chair Alasdair Macpherson said: “This next phase is an important stepping stone in meeting the aspirations of what is an exciting era for our city”.

On granting permission, the council laid down conditions relating to the sourcing of materials. Alasdair Macpherson asserts: “As Stirling continues to grow and prosper, this must not be at the expense of other countries. That is why the panel has agreed that conditions be set on the development to ensure that ethical and sustainable building materials are sourced.”

Steven Nelson of Gillespies gave the planning panel an overview of the new city quarter development, which includes a six storey conference hotel by Thistle (Stirling) Ltd, two five-storey office buildings and a small shop and cafe on the ground level. All of these new buildings will look out onto the civic square that forms the focal point of Forthside.

The new city square will feature water jets which can be switched off to allow the square to be used for public events such as markets and performances. There will be a central lawn and seating and lighting will be used to create a contemporary feel during the evening.