This is to advise that, this morning, MCC Officers held a further meeting with representatives of Springfield plc., to discuss various Environmental and Heath & Safety issues and concerns recently raised both by MCC members and several residents, following the commencement of construction work at the former bowling green and within the development site itself. These issues included concerns raised regarding the lack of: adequate on-site measures to protect protected trees and their roots during construction work; on-site safety warning signage; off-site traffic management measures; and the installation of security fencing around the boundary of the construction site, amongst others.

Springfield acknowledged that those measures were not in place, as they should have been, before starting the enabling operations on-site. They advised that, under normal circumstances, all of these measures would have been in place prior to any construction work starting. However, due to access work having to take place on-site earlier than had been planned, to allow for the undergrounding of electricity power cables, prior to any building work starting, and due to certain material shortages and supply difficulties, caused by the current Covid situation, not all of these measures were in place prior to the commencement of this initial work.

At today’s meeting, Springfield assured MCC that, starting from today, the full range of approved environmental protection, safety warning and traffic management signage, security fencing and other measures, will be positioned and/or constructed as soon as possible, to replace the temporary measures currently in place.

Moving forward, Springfield has also agreed to continue to meet with MCC Officers, on a regular basis, to discuss and address any on-going issues or concerns relating to the housing development. MCC will continue to monitor the development to ensure that any legitimate concerns or issues raised by our community are addressed either by Springfield or the Council, as quickly as possible.

Finally, Springfield also confirmed that residents can contact them directly, with any queries or concerns, by calling their Head Office on 01324 555536 or by emailing [email protected].

Mike Wilson

Secretary – Muckhart Community Council

[email protected]

This is just to advise that the 2nd stage of the Community Council Review is now underway.

Should you wish to find out more about this consultation, or should you wish to submit a response, please click on the following link:

https://clackmannanshire.citizenspace.com/performance-and-partnership-support/community-council-reviewstage2/

Mike Wilson

Secretary – Muckhart Community Council

[email protected]

On Sunday 15th August a vehicle was stolen around 4:20pm from Upper Yetts, departing with the rear boot open and at high speed. The police are aware of the incident, and are investigating, but it is clear that opportunistic thieves are operating in the area. Please be vigilant and careful, reporting anything suspicious to Police Scotland.

The Council today has released the Notice of Election covering the Community Councils in Clackmannanshire.

The Notice of Election, and information on how to request Nomination Forms, can be found on the Clackmannanshire Council Notices page:

Clackmannanshire Council Notices

Nomination Forms, which must be returned no later than 4:00pm Thursday 2nd September 2021, may be obtained from the Returning Officer (see the notice for further contact details).

If the election is contested, a Notice of Poll will be published on 29 September 2021 and voting will be via a postal ballot system. Results of the Election(s) will be declared on 15 October 2021

Mike Wilson

Secretary – Muckhart Community Council

[email protected]

MCC has been advised that the timber harvesting work will start week commencing 16th August and that timber haulage will likely start week commencing 22nd August. Warning signage will be erected on the Upper Hillfoots Road in advance of haulage commencing. These works are expected to last into early 2022.

Prior to starting timber haulage, Tilhill has advised it is planning to carry out some repairs to the upper forest road and this will involve lorries running material in from a nearby quarry. These works are also likely to start week commencing 16th August and the quarry lorries will be running for approximately 2 days.

It is planned to run the majority of the timber lorries before 10am and after 3.30pm during week days. It is likely that there may however be the odd lorry running between these times and Tilhill has advised that it will try to minimise this where possible. The plan is to not run lorries during the weekends.

If you have any queries, please contact Bruce Spalding, Senior Forest Manager: [email protected]

Tel. 01786 821666 – Mob. 07917262166 – Tilhill, 1 Duckburn Park, Stirling Road, Dunblane, FK15 0EW. UK

Mike Wilson

Secretary – Muckhart Community Council

[email protected]

MCC has been advised that work is due to commence on site H49, next week, from Monday 9^th August onwards.

The initial works will see the wall at the bowling green taken down and a ramp created from the A91 down through the bowling green. This ramp will give access to the site to allow the underground diversion of the existing electricity cables to be carried out by Scottish Power.

It is anticipated that a formal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be issued by the Council, prior to the commencement of any work, which is likely to be in force for several weeks, until the access ramp has been completed. MCC will forward on this information as soon as it is received.

According to the advice received by MCC, the programme over the coming weeks will comprise:

• 9/10 August – trees at Bowling Green to be assessed by Springfield’s ecologist
• 11 Aug – careful removal of stone wall and trees (subject to ecology survey) to allow access to site
• 12 Aug – 20 Aug works to create vehicular ramp into site
• 23 Aug – works to divert overhead electricity line carried out by specialist contactor on behalf of Scottish Power

Following this initial work, development across the wider site is likely to start, soon thereafter.

Further information on the plans to develop the site is now available in the CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN which was released yesterday on the Council Planning web-site. The Plan can be accessed via the following link:

https://publicaccess.clacks.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=PTGD4REYIHH00

Should you have any queries or issues regarding this development, Springfield has provided contact details for Paul Denham, the development Project Manager, who is based at Springfield’s Head Office. Paul can be contacted by telephone on 01324 555536 or by email at [email protected]

Mike Wilson

Secretary – Muckhart Community Council

[email protected]

Further to the recent announcement from Clackmannanshire Council’s Election Team, the Community Council Elections, which were due to be held last year, will now take place in September of this year.

During the nomination period, which is due to commence on 11^th August, anyone who is resident within the Muckhart area, is entitled to put their name forward to join and become a member of Muckhart Community Council. If a sufficient number of nominations are received by the Council – which currently stands at twelve – then a ballot will follow to formally elect members who will form the next Community Council. The new Council will replace the current one which is due to stand down following the next Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 8^th September.

MCC has arranged to hold a Community Open Evening, on the evening of Wednesday 11^th August, at 7:00pm, in the Coronation Hall (Covid restrictions permitting), to help promote the work of the Community Council and also the forthcoming election and to encourage members of our community to consider putting themselves forward for nomination.

Any member of our community can attend this Open Evening, during which cheese and wine will be available, which will offer residents the opportunity to engage in discussion with existing MCC members regarding the general, day-to-day business of MCC, and its regular meetings and activities, together with the plans and priorities, currently in place, to address the needs of our community, as detailed in the Muckhart Community Plan. During the evening, Information Stations, manned by members of MCC, will be in place around the Hall, allowing residents to view and discuss a wide range of subjects, in which they may have an interest, including various elements of the Muckhart Community Plan; the recently formed Muckhart Flood Risk Group; the development of the planned local Nature Trail; activities underway regarding planning applications and the housing development within the Pool; plans for path and road safety improvement and development; plans for local education and the primary school; current environmental and sustainability initiatives; etc..

The evening is intended to fully inform those attending of current member responsibilities, and plans and activities underway, and to advise those who may wish to put themselves forward for nomination what they can expect to be involved in as a member of MCC. A member of the Clackmannanshire Council will also be present should anyone wish to pick-up a nomination form.

We look forward to seeing you there !!

Mike Wilson

Secretary – Muckhart Community Council

[email protected]

Further to the Burnfoot Hill Community Fund update, posted on 21^st April, this is just a brief reminder for any individual or group wishing to apply for an MCC Micro-Grant, worth up to £500, that the next Application Deadline is 18th August.

An application form can be submitted any time up to, and including, this date.

• Click on the following link for information on the Burnfoot Hill Community Fund
• Should you wish more information about the MCC Micro-Grants available, then please contact an MCC Panel member:  [email protected] or [email protected]
• Click on the following link to view a Sample MCC Micro-Grants Application Form
• To request an MCC Micro-Grant Application Form (MS Word version), please contact the MCC Secretary at [email protected]

Mike Wilson

Secretary – Muckhart Community Council

[email protected]