Government pushes for Kilmardinny decision
RENEWED attempts by a Scottish Government reporter to press the council to conclude the Kilmardinny development proposal have been attacked.
Developers CALA and Stewart Milne propose 550 houses, a retail park and commercial properties at Kilmardinny and reporter Janet McNair has said she is minded to grant the developers' appeal against East Dunbarton-shire Council's refusal of permission.
In a recent statement she told both sides if they confirmed by December 18 that they believed they could negotiate a legal agreement, she would grant a four-month extension to allow for it to be drawn up — otherwise she would herself impose a settlement.
Objectors anxious to know if this is to happen have been advised the reporter has now offered a further period during January for the two sides to confirm they will conclude a legal agreement.
A council spokesman said: "Negotiations are continuing and elected members have been fully briefed on the situation."
However the action group want smore than a briefing for councillors, and chairman Keith Small is urging them to call for a meeting at which elected members can direct officials how to respond. Councillor Ian MacKay told the Herald: "It's barely believable the reporter is still pushing the council to enter this legal agreement.
"I'm astonished she is asking the council to hand over the sports centre to the developers on their promise that after they demolish it and build new houses on it — and after the houses are sold — they will then give the council not much more than half of the cost of building a new one.
"This would disadvantage the community dramatically and for that reason the council has taken the decision not to part with the Allander before a new building is in place — so it wouldn't even be competent for the council to enter the legal agreement."
As recently reported in the Herald the reporter's role in the Kilmardinny decision was raised in Parliament by MP Jo Swinson who said: "The reporter is urging East Dunbartonshire Council to accept a deal put forward by developers which would leave council taxpayers severely out of pocket.
"It does not serve local interests well when the views of the people who know best — those who represent a local area — are overturned."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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