Horse racing track plan near Bannockburn site refused

Stirling Council had approved plans for the trotting racetrack near the Bannockburn site

The Scottish government has refused planning permission for a horse racing track next to the historic Bannockburn battlefield site.

Stirling Council had approved the proposal, which would have seen a trotting track for harness racing built on land at Chartershall on the outskirts of the city.

Scottish ministers ruled the proposals would "introduce new development and urbanisation in one of the few remaining undeveloped parts of the battlefield".

The Scottish government formally "called in" the decision in August 2024, with ministers now overturning the council's original determination.

Ministers ruled the development would have a "significant adverse effect on the character of the battlefield, its setting and sense of place".

The Battle of Bannockburn, fought in June 1314, saw Robert the Bruce and his Scots army defeat the English troops led by King Edward II.

The proposed development would have had parking for more than 200 cars and access roads within view of the battle site.

Stirling Council approved plans for the development in July last year, with conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) saying it was "shocked and disappointed" at the decision.

NTS acting director of conservation and policy Diarmid Hearns said: "This is very welcome news for the trust and all who care about Scotland's heritage and history."

He said the ministers' conclusions "closely accord with our stated views that this development was simply in the wrong place and would have badly impacted upon the setting of the battlefield".

Impact on Bannockburn as a nationally significant battlefield

Ministers said that while they were "sympathetic" to points made in support of the application, their ruling stated they "do not consider that the benefits of the proposed development would outweigh the adverse impacts on a nationally significant battlefield and its associated listed buildings".

The Scottish government also refused a separate application for a golf driving range to be built in the area, saying: "The proposed development does not effectively protect the cultural significance or the key landscape characteristics of the battlefield."

A Stirling Council spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the Scottish government's decision on the planning application for the trotting track.

"It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the matter at this time."