Country side concerns

Dear Editor,

I attended McTaggart Construction’s consultation of the proposed Langlands West project off Auldhouse Road.

Unbeknown to many of us who live near to this site, South Lanarkshire Council had earmarked this land for development in the last Local Plan and so more green belt land is lost for future generations.

Yet again the choice of where and how we live is being slowly taken away from us. I’ve nothing against cul de sacs but not everyone wants to live in them.

It saddens me that it seems the countryside is now just for the privileged few; no doubt the developers who get rich churning up our fields then find themselves a nice field where they can build their isolated palace and enjoy the countryside we wanted our children to have the chance to enjoy.

What saddens me most is that we are not being told about these projects until it is too late. Where are the councillors making people aware of what is going on? The Local Plan is a long and complicated business and changes can go unnoticed.

It appears it is too convenient for councillors to hide behind rules and policy. They may not be able to give their views but there is nothing to stop them answering people’s concerns and explaining what is on the cards.

After all, that is what councillors are elected for – to serve the people.

For the people of Auldhouse and the new residents of the Benthall Farm development it is too late and we face more houses on our doorstep.

There also appears to be no concern of the effects the project will have on the already poor infrastructure and heaven help the birds and wildlife.

More worrying is the timing of the project, just as the new Local Plan is out for consultation.

It would be great if ward councillors got some backbone and started caring about and speaking to the community. We might just begin to trust them again.

Rebecca Hay, Auldhouse