Move vital for West of Scotland Rugby Club
WEST of Scotland Rugby Club hope they can now "move on" following the granting of the latest proposals for the re-development of Kilmardinny.
In earlier plans, provision was made for just short of 10 acres of recreational land, earmarked for a new home for West who say they are struggling to stay afloat financially at the present grounds at Glasgow Road — which are to be developed for housing.
After the lodging of the new application which dropped the sports provision at Kilmardinny, a separate planning application was lodged jointly by CALA and West of Scotland for the development of 25 acres of greenbelt land at Auchenhowie close by Murray Park.
The application sought permission not just for rugby pitches, but for a golf driving range and associated car parking — an application slammed by Councillor Jim Gibbons as a landgrab on the part of CALA.
This was lodged towards the end of 2006 and a council spokesman confirmed this week that "the complex application was still live and under consideration." While making no mention directly of the prospects of permission for new grounds at Auchenhowie, West president Gordon Cairns this week told the Herald the club hoped to move 'not too far'.
In a statement issued following the CALA appeal success, Mr Cairns said: "Hopefully now we can move on to the next stage.
"For eight years now the club has been awaiting suitable planning permission which would allow us to look at many more years of successful progress within the Milngavie and Bearsden area instead of down the barrel of a gun
"Helpfully for us, it was recognised by everybody at the appeal hearing, including the local authority and the protesting groups, that the rugby club is very important to the community.
"This is one of the top 10 rugby clubs in Scotland and has one of the biggest junior sections, with the majority of its members and players coming from the East Dunbartonshire area, mainly Milngavie and Bearsden.
"We also provide facilities for other than rugby such as the Highland Games and Fireworks shows.
"The unfortunate reality is, however, that we are in no position to stay at Burnbrae beyond the shortest of terms. We don't have the funds necessary to maintain the present site never mind upgrade and develop it as required.
"CALA have been very supportive to the club and allowed us, through generous sponsorship, to survive the long planning process. This has already taken far longer than originally envisaged and now we can hopefully move on.
"The club has never got involved in the politics of the planning process, except where it was necessary to state our case. We are part of the community and wish this to continue. Financial reality requires us to move, hopefully not far.
"The club continues to look at our move as a positive development. With a new facility we would aim to continue to grow our sport within the area and provide sporting and community facilities of which we can all be proud."
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Weather for Milngavie
Friday 25 May 2012
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