A green light to parliament

Land debate set for Holyrood hearing

The campaign to save greenbelt land between Calderbank and Carnbroe will reach Holyrood next week.

Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson has secured a chamber debate on plans to build on the site.

Mr Simpson has been an outspoken critic of the proposals, which would see thousands of homes, leisure facilities, a garden centre and hotel constructed.

Protestors against the plans, including members of the Save Woodhall and Faskine ( SWAF) campaign group, are expected to travel to Edinburgh to listen to the debate, which will take place next Thursday afternoon.

Mr Simpson said: “It is important that we safeguard the greenbelt and the benefits it brings.

“I’m delighted to be able to offer my help and support to the local community who are up in arms at the proposal to build thousands of homes on their cherished woodland.

“They have opposed this development from the moment the plans were first unveiled.

“The fact that my motion for debate on this issue had plenty of cross-party support tells you how important this is to many MSPs across the political spectrum.”

He added: “We have had some success to date when, along with the Woodland Trust for Scotland, I secured a tree preservation order on some of the areas that have been earmarked for development.”

A spokesperson for the EuroPark development said: “It continues to be our intention to retain much of this woodland as it forms an integral part of the green heart of EuroPark, which will form more than 50 per cent of the development.

“We hope to work with the community to help make this area a benefit for all to enjoy.”

Outspoken critic Mr Simpson at the site of the proposed EuroPark facility