NEW HOMES THREAT TO GREEN BELT
Council to consider development proposals
A consultation has been launched into building thousands of new homes on green belt land in East Kilbride.
South Lanarkshire Council’s new Local Development Plan (LDP) has to be in place by July 2019 and as part of that an additional number of potential development sites have been put forward by individuals,
developers, landowners and agents.
A swathe of land off Stewartfield Way could see nearly 700 new homes being built while a site near Auldhouse village could potentially see a staggering 1750 houses constructed.
Others sites also include Jackton, Thorntonhall, Crutherland Farm and a number in Avondale.
However, fears have been raised by residents over further erosion of the greenbelt and the lack of amenities if the sites were to be developed.
East Kilbride West councillor Ian Harrow told the News Stewartfield residents would be “disgusted” with further development.
“I think it’s safe to say most residents would be extremely unhappy with this – most are already up in arms about the proposed dualling of Stewartfield Way,” he said.
“Part of the Conservative manifesto is also to save green belt wherever possible.”
Agricultural land on Midcrosshill Farm near Auldhouse has been included in the consultation over a 59-hectare site.
Ian Ferguson, chair of Auldhouse and Chapelton Community Council, told the News: “We are deeply concerned by what is in this consultation as are many local residents and will be objecting to it.
“The village has already seen significant disruption with Taylor Wimpey given the green light to build 485 new homes off Shields Road at Benthall Farm and the subsequent 10-month road closure which has been chaos.
“A development of this size would undoubtedly lead to further significant disruption.
“The main issue for us is the continuing erosion of the green belt, not only on this particular site but on other pockets of land identified as part of the consultation.
“And the threat to Auldhouse’s village status and the lack of facilities or amenities or adequate road network to support it nor schools close by to accommodate it.”
A 14-hectare area of land on O’Cathian Farm towards Waterfoot and Thorntonhall, adjacent to the boundary of Community Growth Area, could be considered for more than 400 residential units with a plot off nearby Hayhill Road earmarked for a possible 36 homes.
And a 28-hectare site at Crutherland Farm could accommodate 840 units according to the consultation plan.
Land totalling 38 hectares north of Stewartfield Way – between James Hamilton Heritage Loch and Kittochside – could see 690 residential units.
Meanwhile, Midshawton Farm and Mountyhill Road in Chapelton have been identified as possible sites.
Other sites identified in the report are: Old Glasgow Road in Nerston; Stonehouse Road in Sandford; Newhouse Farm, Kibblestane Place and Quarryhall in Strathaven and Waterfoot Row in Thorntonhall.
Pauline Elliott, head of planning and economic development, said: “Prior to 2019 a draft plan has to be prepared. We are hoping this will be published later this year or early next year, identifying sites which have been suggested for new development.
“These sites are assessed on a number of factors with a view to deciding which can be considered to accord with the council’s development strategy.
“This is then subject to a further period of public consultation, with any representations received being assessed and considered first by the council and thereafter by the Scottish Ministers.
“To ensure all of this work is done to meet the statutory deadline, consultation activity has to take place throughout the year.
“No decisions will be made on which sites to identify for development until the outcome of the current consultation exercise has been considered and assessed.”