Store of the future in Bishopbriggs delayed due to planning bungle

The move means residents have another two weeks to lodge their views on a massive town centre regeneration project.

Retail giants Morrisons are hoping to get the all-clear from council planning chiefs to build a ‘store of the future’ on the former Bishopbriggs High School site – investing £40million in town centre improvements and creating around 100 new jobs.

Originally householders only had until today (Wednesday) to lodge objections or comments to the council, but now, because of an error in the application, the deadline has been put back to October 25.

The extended consultation period was welcomed by Bishopbriggs Town Team – a community group set up to scrutinise the plans on behalf of the town’s residents.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The whole purpose of the Town Team is to keep people involved in the process so we’re happy there will be more time – particularly since the plans themselves contain a daunting amount of material to get through.

“We are concerned there have not been public meetings to explain the plans in detail and we will be trying to organise something along these lines.”

But the Town Team still have a number of concerns about the impact that increased traffic – estimated to be as much as 30,000 more vehicles per week – will have on the area, as well as the increased walk elderly residents will face to reach the new store.

The spokesperson explained: “The impact of the recently submitted plans on traffic levels and the related issues of air pollution and safety are still not clear.

“Similarly, uncertainty remains over the effects on the town of the proposed petrol station and it is unclear who becomes responsible for further developing and delivering the Masterplan for the wider town centre.

“There are feelings that the plans do not go far enough to reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people of Bishopbriggs.

“Residents are encouraged to take a look at the plans and to let the council know their views.”

Thomas Glen, the council’s head of development and enterprise, confirmed: “Due to an error in the description of the Morrisons development planning application, it is a legal requirement that it be readvertised for comments from members of the public.

“The content of the application and what has been applied for has not changed and any representations made to date will still be considered in the assessment of the application.

“Should anyone require further information on this matter or the applicationplease contact the planning service on 0141 578 8600.”

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