Conservationists say that a planning application which would see a horse-trotting track carved into the site of the historic Bannockburn battlefield is “fundamentally flawed".

The National Trust for Scotland commissioned a report by landscape planning specialist which it says reveals serious deficiencies with the plans which have been submitted to Stirling Council.

The proposed trotting track, along with car parking, fencing and buildings, would be built in green fields next to the battlefield centre and parkland managed and cared for by the Trust. 

It would be directly visible from the Rotunda which acts as a national monument to commemorate the 1314 battle, which changed the course of Scottish history and saw the English army of Edward II defeated by the Forces of Robert the Bruce.  

The Trust’s report, prepared for the Trust by Glasgow-based expert Douglas Harman, has been submitted to the Scottish Government-appointed Reporter who is currently reviewing the application. 

Stirling Council approved the application in July despite many objections and it was subsequently ‘called in’ by Scottish Ministers.  

Members of the public visit the Robert the Bruce statue at Bannockburn Members of the public visit the Robert the Bruce statue at Bannockburn (Image: Jeff J Mitchell) The report claims that no ‘Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment’ was submitted with the application, which it describes as a “fundamental omission”. 

The study also says that photos provided by the applicant to demonstrate how the facilities would appear once constructed “do not conform to relevant guidance” and were misleading, unreliable and “fundamentally flawed”. 

The applicant’s assessment of landscape and visual impact was “not fit for purpose”, the survey says.  

The charity also believes there are flaws in the council planning department’s handling of the application, including an “overreliance” on the information provided in the applicant’s submission. 

Douglas Harman, of the Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute, said: “Given the large number of policy conflicts, there is no doubt that the proposed development is unacceptable in landscape and visual terms. 

“In determining the application therefore, paramount importance should be afforded to the protection of this nationally important landscape.” 

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Stuart Brooks, the National Trust for Scotland’s Director of Conservation & Policy said: “The report supports our contention that this is the wrong application in the wrong place with the wrong decision by Stirling Council. 

“It’s more than a matter of protecting green fields: they are the location of the first day’s combat at Bannockburn on 23 June 1314 and are not just historically and nationally significant but also form a core part of the setting and topography of the wider landscape that dictated the course of the battle. 

“Many thousands of visitors each year come to the battlefield centre and the Rotunda to experience something of the fateful events that shaped our nation’s destiny.” 

He added: “There is no doubt that the proposals, should they go ahead, would be wholly disruptive and compromise yet another part of the historic battlefield.   

“It’s perhaps understandable why the applicant might want to play that down – but the Council’s assessment should have picked that up. 

“We have respectfully submitted the report to the Scottish Reporter and we hope that it provides helpful information as part of the review of Stirling Council’s decision that is now underway.”