New livestock market for Stirling clears first hurdle

Plans for a new livestock market at Stirling, central Scotland, have been backed in principle by councillors, four months after they refused a previous application.

But the plans to replace the existing 40-year-old Kildean premises, which will include a new headquarters for United Auctions, still need backing from the Scottish Executive as the development contravenes Stirling Council’s structural plan.

Neil McLean, joint managing director of UA, which has around 20,000 farmer customers, said there was still a long way for to go. “We are concerned about the proposed retail recommendations in particular.

“Agri-related businesses are an integral component of a modern livestock mart and without them the project’s overall viability and practicality is undermined.”