Fresh plan for flats submitted after SAAP objected to original proposal

An objection lodged by SAAP against plans to turn a derelict city centre pub building into 27 student flats has forced a fresh proposal to be submitted.

Plans by Iceni Projects Ltd were submitted to Stirling Council planners in February for the creation of the student flats in the vacant Arches bar and restaurant premises at 35 Upper Craigs in Stirling.

SAAP objected because none of the proposals for the building offered accommodation for disabled students.

SAAP chair Robert Dick explains: "We felt the developer was showing disability discrimination by not complying with legislation and we urged them to rethink their development plans to include accessible flats.

"We were also concerned that Stirling University and its Student Union, who were consulted on this design, failed to recognise the need to be fully inclusive with student accommodation."

Now Iceni Projects Ltd has revised the plans, altering the ground floor so that it includes two accessible student apartments. The developers say this will help plug an expected shortfall in student accommodation in the area over the next few years.