DDT purchases High Street Gap Site from Local Landowner

Dunblane Development Trust (DDT) has completed its purchase of the Gap Site in the High Street, Dunblane from local landowner Kippendavie Group Trust (KGT). When the site was purchased by KGT early last year, the DDT was given first option to purchase the site from them within two years. By providing the Trust with a substantial interest free loan, KGT has bought it time to obtain the necessary funding for this ambitious project.

Dunblane Development Trust’s purchase of the land has been made possible by grant funding provided by the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund (TCRF). The Fund has awarded DDT £1.2 million, which is the total sum required for the development of the gap site project.

However, in order to reach this stage of the project, the DDT had to retain the services of architects, surveyors, lawyers and engineers. The resulting fees – together with the cost of site investigations, business plans and planning applications – have totalled £87,000.

To raise this additional funding, the DDT approached another Scottish funding group, the Forth Valley and Lomond Leader (FVLL).  In order to qualify for half of the initial costs - £43,500 – from that funder, DDT was required to match the sum with an equal amount from an alternative source.  Although the Trust managed to secure £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, this still left a shortfall of £33,500.

KGT stepped in to provide the Trust with an interest free loan of up to £33,500 to make up the required match funding amount.  To date, DDT has requested £21,000 of this money. An agreement drawn up between DDT and KGT, stipulates that the loan must be repaid by 2015, although there are conditions under which it may be written off sooner.

Malcolm Dougall, Dunblane Development Trust’s project director said: "We are extremely grateful to both KGT and the TCRF.  With their help, not only has it been possible for the Dunblane Development Trust to develop the project to this stage, but we have now been able to purchase the High Street Gap Site outright, on behalf of the Dunblane community. 

“Quotations have been invited from a number of building contractors regarding the project and our ownership of the site now enables negotiations with a potential contractor to be concluded.  The Trust expects to announce the agreement of a construction contract – and a start date for the project – in the very near future.”

Once completed, the High Street development will provide a restaurant over two floors, looking out to the Allan Water, together with five flats, which will provide much needed rental accommodation.

The Dunblane web has been set up to provide information and support for locals and visitors alike.

We are always looking to update and add any relevant information that the Dunblane community would benefit from being included in this site.

If you have a club, group, Organisation, Local business or any news, or up and Coming event then please let us Know!!!

We have put a lot of time, effort and resources into building this web site. We would appreciate any input that you can offer or suggest any suitable links to improve this site.

Contact Us