Do you want to see a huge housing estate built on Airthrey Kerse? You are urged to make your views known at a drop-in session on Saturday, December 10.

Stirling Council is holding the surgery between 10am and 4pm at Wallace High School, where residents will get the chance to respond to the local development plan (LDP).

Last month, s1bridgeofallan reported that Graham’s Dairy had submitted plans to build 800 houses on the site, joining Bridge of Allan with Causwayhead.

Concerned residents, who feel that the development might be a threat to the village’s identity, have set up a facebook page opposing it.

However, whilst Save Bridge of Allan has had more than 50 likes and is filled with posts and comments against the proposals, the local community council have yet to determine whether or not this represents the views of the village as a whole.

One local resident who used to live beside the Kerse, but who wished not to be named, told s1bridgeofallan that she would be saddened to see such a natural area turned into a housing estate.

She said: “Our living room window looked onto it and it was such a beautiful view.

"I just hope they don’t get the go-ahead.�

We also spoke to the staff at the Med pub, which overlooks the site, and found mixed emotions.

Manager Chris Kelly said: “I‘ve not heard about it but I would not be too bothered about it if it was to go ahead.

“Though, from where we are, we’ve got a good view of the castle and it would ruin that.

“The chef was saying he thinks it’s a green belt so they might not be able to do anything to it anyway.

“One of the girls who works here lives locally and she was saying it’s a bit of a silly place to build because it’s terrible for flooding.

“I went to the school across the road and I remember the area always being flooded.�

Certainly, the Kerse’s odds of being water logged are a major concern for residents.

Kevin Swingler, who reported on the story for s1bridgeofallan last month, posted a photograph on Save Bridge of Allan showing the extent of the drainage problem.

Along with the picture, he commented: “The dairy claim that flooding on the Kerse isn't a problem. Look at it this morning!�

Another local, Alison Grant Logie, also posted: “I see that there is a huge number of houses which, unless they are built on stilts, will suffer from flooding.�

Chairman of Bridge of Allan Community Council, Gavin T Drummond, told s1bridgeofallan that the community council will consider their response to the draft LDP at their meeting on December 17.

Urging residents to attend the drop-in session next week, he said: "As a council we believe that it is important that everyone is fully informed on what is proposed in the draft LDP before making a decision on these proposals.

“Equally we are attempting to gauge the opinion of all sectors of the community.  

“I would encourage everyone to attend this session and then make a decision on the draft proposals."

No one from Graham’s Dairy was available for comment.

The community council have decided that they do not have sufficient feedback from the local community to be able to put in a response to Stirling Council.

Please let them know how you feel by contacting Bridge of Allan Community Council on contact@ccbridgeofallan.org.uk.

You can view the local development plan for Airthrey Kerse by clicking here.