A magnificent effort in May by our many supporters saw the submission to Stirling Council of our petition, containing over 3,500 signatures, gathered in a brief 3-week period, calling on the Council to help defend Gillies Hill, should it prove necessary, in court.  

Because of time constraints, and the importance of showing that Cambusbarron’s Community Council – the body officially negotiating with Stirling Council -  had the backing of more than its 11 members, a very brief window of opportunity opened up: the petition had to be submitted by early June, or could not be considered till the autumn, something that would have cost this particular and vital thrust of the campaign much of its momentum.  

But in the event, the Petition was presented, and received by the Council, who then – appropriately on 24 June, the date of Bannockburn – agreed to defend the Hill legally if necessary, with one qualification. Because the quarry companies have claimed that they were very unlikely to recommence active stone removal in the next few years, and because an EIA would have to be conducted in 2017, when the next review of permission must be held, it was decided to request the companies, and, indeed, the land-owners, Drygrange Estates, to voluntarily sign up to a legally binding agreement not to quarry before such a review in 2017, which, of course, would prevent having to initiate legal proceedings.  

And now, mid-September 2010, we await the outcome of the Council’s negotiations with these bodies. Watch this space, and the local press, for further news.