After 18 months of negotiations, Raploch Urban Regeneration Company (URC) and Stirling Council have struck a deal, which will see the URC take full ownership of 62 acres of land as part of a £120m makeover of the area. 

The deal, thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland, will enable the housebuilding consortium of George Wimpey and Cruden Homes to begin developing the land under the URC guidance.

As part of the deal the URC signed a 80-page legal agreement to deliver 900 new affordable homes, three new schools, a special needs school, a further education college and various leisure facilities.  

Bob Laverty, chief executive of Raploch URC, said: "We are delighted that negotiations have ended successfully and it's now officially all systems go."