May 22 2025

The village of Cowie in Stirling is set for significant growth with the submission of detailed plans for 417 new homes, part of a broader masterplan for the area.

Berryhills by Taylor Wimpey is planned for scrubland south of Bannockburn Road, for which planning in principle for new housing is already in place.

Working with landscape architecture practice SLR the housebuilder emphasises a respectful approach to biodiversity with pollinator-friendly planting promised throughout.

Martin Findlay, technical director for Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, commented: “As well as delivering new sustainable and energy efficient homes in Cowie, our development will provide a range of economic benefits for the local area, which includes attracting new customers to help support local businesses. Our development will be industry-leading, with the inclusion of bat, bee and bird bricks, beehives and hedgehog highways.”

Including 60 affordable properties, the new housing will be buffered by a 'nature park' across the site's western boundary that encourages foraging with a picnic area, an orchard and an active travel route lined by edible hedgerow. 

5 Comments

#1 Posted by green? on 22 May 2025 at 11:37 AM

an ocean of paving and a slither of mown grass. On an out of town estate entirely dependent on the car. Call it greenwashing.

#2 Posted by green? on 22 May 2025 at 11:56 AM

From statutory consultation with NatureScot...

? The species within the woodland mixes (W1, W2 and W3) are all native and appropriate, however the area covered is minimal, with almost the entire north, north-east, east and south-east areas of the development without woodland cover.

? The species mixes for the hedgerows are generally suitable.

? With many being cultivars, very few of the 59 shrub/groundcover species intended for the nature park, public green spaces, street planting and pedestrian routes are native species.

? With some of the species being cultivars, none of the numerous Primary, Secondary, Tertiary or Incidental Trees
(T1, T2, T3 and IT1) to be planted throughout the development are of native origin.

? The SuDS and Grasses and Wild Flowers planting is generally suitable however again is generally not present throughout the eastern side of the development.

#3 Posted by Lovely on 23 May 2025 at 09:24 AM

How are these sustainable homes?

#4 Posted by freshly on 23 May 2025 at 09:58 AM

Cheers to everyone involved, I'll enjoy that watching my paper straw melt.

#5 Posted by Mark on 23 May 2025 at 21:00 PM

Can't knock a hedgehog highway, guys.

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