Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Locals to fight tooth and nail over houses
Despite fears MSP says plans need “consideration”
Controversial plans to build thousands of homes on green belt land should be given “serious consideration” by North Lanarkshire Council according to Airdrie’s MSP.
Alex Neil’s assertion regarding the proposed EuroPark development between Calderbank and Carnbroe follows on from his column in this paper last week where he criticised the local authority’s “anti-business” stance.
Developers Orchard Brae Ltd recently submitted a revised Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for 1600 private homes and more than 1000 social affordable and market rent properties.
Mr Neil says that, given the area’s housing shortage, the application has to be “looked at thoroughly”.
However, campaigners have vowed to block EuroPark, which they say would destroy three square miles of green belt; and last night the Save Woodhall and Faskine (SWAF) group was scheduled to hold a public meeting on the revised plans.
Outlining the opposition, Michael McBride, secretary of Cairnhill community council, said: “We’ll fight tooth and nail to prevent the loss of what is effectively a country park. This development would lead to pollution and urban sprawl.”
As well as extensive housing, Orchard Brae is seeking permission to build shops, educational and leisure facilities, restaurants, a pub, garden centre and hotel in what it describes as a “vibrant new community”.
Also included in the plans is a health village, cycle and pedestrian routes and the retention of “at least one third” of the land as green space.
Over the weekend it emerged that former Scotland captain Graeme Souness is a major shareholder in Orchard Brae.
Commenting on the ex-Rangers manager’s involvement, Dr Ann Glen, acting secretary of Monkland Glen community council, said: “It’s ironic that Mr Souness is a key backer given his recent appointment to the British Heart Foundation, which recognises the need for regular exercise and the use of green spaces such as this.
“The SWAF campaign is going to step up a gear in opposition, not only to the wholesale destruction of our countryside, but also to the ruination of our town centres. It is on the derelict sites and empty properties in and around our towns that housing should be constructed.
“The ancient estates of Woodhall and Faskine have remarkably rich habitats by the North Calder Water and the Monkland Canal. A country park for day visiting and tourism would diversify the economy and boost villages such as Calderbank. We do not need ‘plastic villages’ dreamed up by developers on our green belt.” Orchard Brae will stage public consultations next week to “undertake comprehensive community consultation”. Director Scott Gillespie said: “We look forward to sharing our vision with the local communities and further working with them to help form our detailed planning submission. “We have demonstrated our commitment by reducing our original plans from 3000 to 2600 homes and have also paid careful attention to the green elements of the site which equate to more than 40 per cent of the overall space.
“We believe our investment will create 930 direct jobs and a peak of 2500 temporary construction jobs. There would be significant regeneration benefits in communities.”
Airdrie & Shotts MP Neil Gray voiced concerns over the size of the development but would “speak to both the developers and community groups” to reach an informed decision.
Coatbridge MP Hugh Gaffney vowed to “make sure the concerns and opinions of my constituents are taken on board by the planning committee” before any decisions are taken.
While Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge, added: “I am keen to learn more about what the exact impact on Coatbridge will be.”
The public consultations will take place on Tuesday at the Dakota Hotel, next Wednesday in Gartlea Community Centre, Chapelhall Library on Thursday, November 23, Calderbank village hall the following day and Calder community centre in Whifflet on Saturday, November 25.
The first four meetings are 2pm to 7pm; the final one is 10am to 3pm.
Turn to page 32 for MSP Graham Simpson’s view.