7.18 The Stirling Charter - Conserving Scotland’s Built Heritage - published in January 2000 by Historic Scotland, sets out the broad principles for the conservation of the built heritage in Scotland. National Planning Policy Guideline 18: Planning and the Historic Environment (NPPG 18), recognises that maintaining and enhancing the quality of the historic environment and preserving the Scotland’s heritage are important functions of the planning system.

7.19 The Joint Structure Plan seeks to protect the environmental inheritance of the area and presumes against any proposals which could have a significant adverse effect on national resources, included amongst which is the Central Outstanding Conservation Area.