Controversialhomes plan ison show again

Protesters pictured near the disputed land.

The Bellway Homes plan, for farmland bordering Airdrie Road, has already attracted 850 letters of objection to the bid to make the site available for housing.

The crucial initial stage will see the council decide whether the farmland concerned should be released for potential housing development.

If the land is rezoned it will be easier for developers to gain approval for a housing scheme.

In some cases developers do not immediately submit planning bids, preferring to “land bank” lucrative sites for future development.

This month Bellway, through their agents Keppie (design, architecture and planning specialists), are repeating a key element of the pre-application process by putting the plans on show again.

Opponents of the scheme had argued that details of the site were too vague last time around.

Many local people who use the fields recreationally were said to be unaware of what was intended – or exactly how the plan would impact on the area.

Now anyone who missed that display has another chance to study the details.

This latest session will be formally announced with advertisements on behalf of the developers appearing in today’s and next week’s News.

The display will be on Friday, June 26 from 2pm to 7pm.

Jamie Hepburn MSP said public concerns about the threat to wildlife, the danger of flooding and loss of amenity were “all justified”.