Controversial Milngavie-Bearsden housing project gets the go-ahead
A MASSIVE housing development in Milngavie and Bearsden CAN go ahead — despite ferocious local opposition.
The Scottish Government has given the green light for the controversial redevelopment of land straddling both towns, despite the fact that plans have already been booted out by councillors.
CALA Management and Stewart Milne Holdings have been told they can now build on a huge area from Hillfoot in Bearsden to Auchenhowie in Milngavie, creating up to 550 new houses.
The Allander Leisure centre will be pulled down as part of the proposals and money will be set aside by the developers for the construction of a new facility.
However, there was anger this week from residents and politicians who have opposed the development — called the Lower Kilmardinny Project — since it was first proposed in 2004.
They say that unbearable pressure will be brought upon roads in the area, not least the already busy A81 Milngavie Road, and concerns have been raised about how schools will cope with an influx of new pupils.
Protesters are also worried about building houses in a recognised floodplain, and have placed concerns about the future of Allander Leisure at the heart of their campaign.
Opponents of the project say they are worried that there may be a lag or at least two years between the present building being knocked down and its replacement being built.
East Dunbartonshire planners had previously given the nod to the project, but this was sensationally overturned by councillors who booted the plans into touch following a packed public meeting in Bearsden Academy in 2007.
However, CALA appealed, an official inquiry was held last year and last week the Scottish Government Reporter tasked with adjudicating found in the developer's favour, albeit with a list of 20 conditions attached.
These include the contribution of 10million to the redevelopment of Allander Leisure. Provision will also have to be made for the creation of park and ride facilities near the railway, but the creation of a rail halt — demanded as a condition by protesters — is still a matter for Network Rail to decide.
Both East Dunbartonshire Council and CALA/Stewart Milne now have three months to come to an agreement on the Reporter's recommendation. If they fail in that time, the final decision and final terms will be set by the Reporter.
Project opponents were left reeling this week at the decision.
Keith Small, of the Kilmardinny Westpark Action Group (KWAG), said: "We formed KWAG, taking in four community councils — Bearsden North, East, Milngavie and Baldernock — as well as several residents' associations and many individuals. Therefore, we had a good representation of the feelings of the local community, which was overwhelmingly against this project.
"There is now three months for the developers and the council to come to an agreement on this or the Reporter will make a decision one way or another, so there are a lot of discussions that will have to take place.
"The action group has still to meet, but it's fair to say that we are disappointed at the Reporter's decision. We felt that we had provided sufficient evidence for her to refuse the application.
"The best outcome would have been for the Reporter to refuse the application and for the process to start again, this time with much greater consultation with local communities about proposals for the site.
"Obviously, one big concern is the sports centre. The Reporter has said that the developers must put 10million towards its construction, but it was previously stated that a new facility would cost in the region of 17million. Where is this extra 7million going to come from?
"Are we going to end up in the situation that Kirkintilloch found itself in where they had no sports centre for ten years? And when it is built, will we find that it has been significantly scaled back?"
Bearsden North Councillor Duncan Cumming said: "This is a sad day. I am very disappointed at the outcome of this. People will be angry about this. Not least of the concerns is the impact it will have on traffic. What will happen to the roads if you've got 550 new houses, each of them with two cars each? Milngavie Road will be turned into the biggest car park in Scotland.
"There is also no guarantee that there will be a rail halt and everyone is worried about what will happen to Allander Leisure."
The reaction from the general public was similarly one of shock.
Jennifer Wilson, of Galbraith Drive in Milngavie, said: "There are many of us very against this development. There will be no advantage to living in Milngavie at all.
"If we lose the sports centre this will be a disaster for our children and even today it is impossible on many days to get parked at the shops in Milngavie. What will it be like with 550 extra houses?
"Also at the enquiry, CALA didn't have to answer the question about which schools these children will all go to. Many of the Milngavie Primary Schools have been full this year for P1 intake and Douglas Academy will already be near capacity at the moment and maybe over capacity soon.
"With regards to amenities, we will lose a driving range, a sports centre temporarily although hopefully not at all and a view and open space. At the moment from what I hear we are to gain lots of houses and shops, traffic and probably not a rail halt the way things are going. I only hope that sense can still prevail in some way."
In a short statement, CALA simply said: "We are delighted that the appeal was upheld and we are now looking at the details of the report."
A spokeswoman for East Dunbartonshire Council said: "We have been notified of the Reporter's decision on the CALA planning application at Lower Kilmardinny/ Westpark. This was a complex application and we are currently studying the Reporter's comprehensive findings in detail."
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Weather for Milngavie
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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