Council must suspend consideration of Maidenhill planning application says MSP

Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw, has called for East Renfrewshire Council's Planning Committee to suspend all consideration of the Maidenhill planning application following 'the very legitimate concerns' of residents and the 'ministerial intervention' of the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP.
Jackson Carlaw MSPJackson Carlaw MSP
Jackson Carlaw MSP

This call was made in an email yesterday to Council Chief Executive, Lorraine McMillan.

The Planning Committee is due to consider the application today, (Wednesday, May 31).

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Eastwood MSP and Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader, Jackson Carlaw said:

“The Planning Committee must suspend any consideration of the Maidenhill development until we have clarity that sufficient plans are in place to deal with the concerns on sewerage and drainage capability.

“These are not just local concerns but ones that the Cabinet Secretary has noted are “extremely important” and she has undertaken to take a detailed look into the plans.

“It would be hot headed to grant this application full planning permission while we await a ministerial response.”

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An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The Council and Scottish Water liaise regularly on a number of issues regarding watercourses, surface water and foul drainage.

“We regularly inspect watercourses and when heavy rain is forecast ensure that all grills are clear of debris.

“Discussions are also ongoing with Scottish Water regarding improvements being made to its wider foul water drainage network in the area for which they are responsible.

“In relation to the Maidenhill proposal, as part of any planning application for a major development a drainage strategy report is prepared by a specialist hydrologist to outline how surface water run-off will be managed. The necessary checks are then carried out to ensure that the proposed drainage measures comply with the Council’s requirements in our role as Flood Prevention Authority. Officers are satisfied that the proposals put forward, which includes the installation of drainage systems at four separate parts of the site, will control surface water run-off rates at the required level. This application and all formal representations have been rigorously assessed by the Council’s planning officers and are reflected in the Report of Handling which will be considered by Elected Members at the Planning Committee on Friday 2 June. It will be for Elected Members to decide the outcome of this application.

“In relation to the sewage system it is also important to stress that, in its role as a statutory consultee, Scottish Water has not objected to the planning application.”