Fate of Owenstown hangs in the balance

Its three day Public Hearing into the council’s refusal of planning permission to build Owenstown - a new community the same size of Lanark - in the Douglas Valley ended last Thursday.

The proceedings saw the arguments and counter-arguments for the creation of the 8000 population community fly at the inquiry venue in Rigside Community Centre, nearby the proposed Owentown site.

After the final session, those promoting the new town accused South Lanarkshire Council of trying to “downplay” the importance of Owenstown and the benefits the £500m development could bring to the local economy.

The council, for its part, is refusing to engage in a war of words and is content to await the final government decision, not expected for several months.

For more on this story pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.