Isabella Gorska, a long-standing member of Stirling Area Access Panel (SAAP), has discovered that important information about the planning conditions around city centre developments have been lost by Stirling Council. Isabella, who is also a Riverside community councillor, had used a Freedom of Information request to challenge whether 41 planning conditions had been met. This included planning conditions regarding provision of disabled parking at the £11 million Engine Shed

We were pleased to see the viewpoint of SAAP highlighted by the Stirling Observer when it shared news that Stirling Council has given the go-ahead for student accommodation from conversion of an old pub. The article referenced our concerns that the original proposals for the vacant building at 35 Upper Craigs in Stirling, had not included accessible rooms for disabled students. We asked the developers to consider adding accessible rooms. We are now pleased to learn that two

In late August, SAAP was invited to the opening of the new Health Centre in Doune. The Panel had worked with the project group of NHS Forth Valley during the design stage and were pleased to see the inclusion of a drop-off, a powered sliding entrance door and necessary changes to the accessible WC. Although there are still some issues, we hope that they will be addressed during the snagging rectification process.

In September, SAAP attended the official opening of the new Changing Places Toilet (CPT) at The Peak with Councillors Kane and Bennison and a representative from Pamis. Designer and lead consultant co-ordinating the process was James F Stephen Architects. We had worked closely with the architects on this project and although technical issues with drains prevented the ideal layout we suggested, we believe that this essential facility for people with multiple disabilities will