Councillors reject plan for 67 new homes at Bearsden Golf Club land

With a view to purchasing the land for housing, Robertson Homes had sought permission for a mixed development ranging from one to six-bedroomed properties but at an East Dunbartonshire Council planning meeting this week, councillors voted 12 to two to deny the application.

Instead, the majority of the planning board backed an amendment to refuse, which was tabled by joint council leader Vaughan Moody, and listed seven reasons to oppose the application.

These were that the application would result to overdevelopment at the Thorn Road site as it was considered to only have capacity for 40 properties.

Also, that poor amenity would mean gardens at some properties would fail to reach the minimum size of 40 square metres per bedroom, that the design contrasted with the character of the existing conservation area.

Other reasons were that it provided for inadequate open space, the site was too far from public transport, extra traffic would futher pollute the existing air quality management area at Bearsden Cross, and the golf fairways would not be replaced.

Planning officers had recommended granting planning permission subject to conditions.

Officers also argued that factors such as the location being close to multiple open areas such as Thorn Park, Castlehill and Garscadden Wood
 allowed for some exceptions to be permitted. However, these recommendations 
were overruled by the committee.

The proposals have previously met with significant interest from members of the public with 466 responses to consultations. Of these 254 supported the plans while 206 objections were received.

Of the public bodies consulted, Sport Scotland had initially raised no objections but changed its position after the golf club was refused 
permission to extend its course.

This meant that if this application had been granted the golf course was likely to lose three of its holes with no alternative proposals to replace these.

The golf club is currently pursuing an appeal on the course alterations with the Scottish Government.