Plan will open up 14 greenbelt sites in East Dunbartonshire for housing

Residents campaigning against CALA Homes' housing plans on greenbelt site at Birdston Road, one of the sites Scottish Government advisers say should be freed up for development.

The council says it is “extremely disappointed” that Reporters appointed by the government say 14 sites, primarily on greenbelt land, be included in the Local Development Plan for planning applications.

The sites are in Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Torrance, Milngavie, Bearsden, Balmore, Milton of Campsie and Lennoxtown.

The Reporters have also advised three sites earmarked for development be removed.

The recommendations come after the Reporters scrutinised the latest five-year Proposed Local Development Plan (LDP), submitted by the council to Scottish Ministers back in December. It sets out a land-use strategy for the area which will be used to determine planning applications.

Councillor Billy Hendry, Depute Leader of the council, said: “The LDP is a vital document and crucial to the environment, economy and aspirations of East Dunbartonshire - providing opportunities, as well as guidance and protection.

“Once adopted, East Dunbartonshire’s LDP will guide the future use of land, set out proposals for development - including new housing sites, which we are duty-bound to identify - and provide the framework for dealing with planning applications.

“Whilst the Reporters generally support the approach we are taking, it’s extremely disappointing that they have released an additional 14 sites – primarily from the greenbelt – for housing.

“We will now study the detail around the Reporters’ decisions regarding housing, particularly as regards the release of additional sites, prior to submitting our proposed LDP.”

Councillor Hendry added that a delicate balance needed to be struck between development and protecting the environment.

The council now has three months to consider the examination report and submit a proposed LDP for adoption to the Scottish Government.

Officers are currently preparing a detailed report which will be brought before a full council meeting.

The 14 additional sites which are mainly recommended for a mix of private and affordable properties are: Balmore Garden Nursery Balmore (10 properties);

Birnam Crescent, Bearsden (20); Castlehill Farm, Bearsden (7); Crofthead, Bishopbriggs (33); Fire Station Field, Milngavie (20); Braes O’ Yetts

Kirkintilloch; Chryston Road, Kirkintilloch (35); Duntiblae, Kirkintilloch (13); Greens Avenue, Kirkintilloch (32); Lennoxlea, Lennoxtown (53); Lenzie Hospital (65); Birdston Road, Milton of Campsie (53), Acre Valley Nursery, Torrance (10) and West Carlston Garden Centre, Torrance (25).

The three removed from the list are: Alloway Terrace, Kirkintilloch; South of Waterside Road, Kirkintilloch and Redmoss Farm, Milton of Campsie.

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The latest five year Local Plan has been scrutinised by the Scottish Government - with some differences emerging between them and East Dunbartonshire Council. The Proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) will now go to the next stage following a nine month consultation process.

The Plan sets out a land-use strategy within the authority’s area which will be used to determine planning applications. A total of 29 issues were identified by the council during the process.

The Reporters appointed by the Scottish Government made a number of recommendations and observations on these. In general The Reporters agreed that the council’s approach to its housing strategy - both private and affordable was appropriate, reasonable and justified with a number of sites being released for housing.

However The Reporters removed three of these and added 14 others- which they said would result in a minimal change to the overall amount of potential housing.

“Whilst the Reporters generally support the approach we are taking, it’s extremely disappointing that they have released an additional 14 sites - primarily from the greenbelt - for housing.

“We will now study the detail around the Reporters’ decisions regarding housing - particularly as regards the release of additional sites - prior to submitting our proposed LDP.

Councillor Hendry went on to say that a delicate balance needed to be struck between development and protecting the environment. The council now has three months to consider the examination report and submit a proposed LDP for adoption to the Scottish Government. Officers are currently preparing a detailed report which will be brought before a full council meeting.