Housing plans for Barrhead greenbelt site are refused

East Renfrewshire Council has refused the plans for new housing.

But the applicant, Gladman Developments, could have the decision overturned by Scottish ministers.

The company had hoped to create a new estate at the Fereneze Braes, despite 170 objections and a petition signed by 514 people calling for the plans to be dropped.

Resident Tom Laggan said: “Not one submission supported the application. All of the kids play in this area. This will force those kids to play on the street. It will force the kids to play on the existing quarry, which is a site of special scientific interest.”

Mr Laggan also said that planned suds would pose a drowning risk to children.

It’s the second time in recent years that developers have tried to build on the Braes. Campaigners successfully fought against plans in 2013.

In 2010 the plot was identified by Scottish Government appointed reporters as a potential site for 40 homes.

East Renfrewshire Council disagreed with that assessment and the reporters subsequently removed it as a housing opportunity.

The council’s director of environment, Andrew Cahill, had recommended that Gladman’s plan was refused.

He said that there was no shortfall in housing land in the local authority and Gladman hadn’t demonstrated that a suitable site doesn’t exist elsewhere.

Councillors agreed to decline the application, but the local authority’s principal planner Sean McDaid admitted Gladman could appeal the decision.