Denny business granted permission to expand on greenbelt land

Members of Falkirk Council’s planning committee agreed the site at Leslie Park – very close to the M876 – could expand into an area that is currently rough grassland, reclaimed from a former quarry.

Despite planning officers’ concerns it is classed as greenbelt and countryside, permission was granted for the formation of a storage yard, erection of two metre high palisade fencing and planting of a landscape strip.

Agent David Jones told members the expansion would create eight new jobs with JC Timber Mouldings Ltd, which currently has a workforce of 11.

Lesliepark Industrial Estate is home to companies including George Russell Construction Ltd and JC Timber Mouldings has been there since 2018.

Mr Jones told the committee there is a widespread acceptance from property managers in the area “that there is a shortage of suitable storage space in Falkirk which will inevitably result in this and future tenants seeking to relocate outwith the Falkirk area if their needs cannot be met”.

He said the site at Leslie Park had good access to the A883 Falkirk-Denny road with nearby M876 connections.

Mr Jones added a report by the Agricultural College had confirmed the land had “no agricultural value and limited ecological value” and said “comprehensive landscape proposals provide the area with a net biodiversity gain”.

Falkirk Council’s roads unit had questioned the visibility for traffic entering and leaving the site but the applicant provided a survey showing it was suitable.