Stirling Council has granted approval for the development of two new primary schools to cater to the residents of Bannockburn’s upcoming housing developments. The children’s and young people’s committee members have given the go-ahead for the construction of schools that will serve the Durieshill and South Stirling Gateway projects, which have both received the green light.
The two housing developments are expected to bring over 4,000 new homes to the area situated between the Pirnhall junction of the M9 and Bannockburn. The Durieshill project, a 593-acre site between Bannockburn and Plean, will see more than 3,000 homes constructed, with a quarter designated as affordable housing. Apart from the residences, amenities like schools, shops, a business park, civic areas, playparks, woodland, and travel routes are planned for Durieshill.
On the other hand, the South Stirling Gateway development aims to provide over 800 homes, with nearly 200 being affordable housing units. The location, positioned between Pirnhall and Bannockburn, has undergone revisions to its initial plans after receiving approval in October 2020. It is estimated that around 600 primary school-age children will reside in Durieshill once all housing is complete, while South Stirling Gateway is expected to house 300 pupils.
Councillor Danny Gibson, convener for children and young people, highlighted the increasing population in Stirling due to families moving into the new homes. He emphasized the importance of establishing new schools and catchment areas to support the growing communities and ensure children have access to quality education. Initial plans include constructing a seven-classroom school in South Stirling Gateway by 2026/27, with a possible extension by 2033/34 based on enrollment projections. Durieshill’s primary school will start with 10 classrooms, expandable by an additional four if needed, with another primary school planned for a later phase.
During the construction period, students from both areas will be accommodated at Bannockburn Primary School until the new schools are completed, after which they will transition to feed into Bannockburn High School. These developments signify the council’s commitment to providing essential infrastructure for fostering learning and building sustainable communities as Stirling continues to evolve and prosper.