Groups hit out at delay to Fastlink over £2.6m row

COMMUNITY groups have branded the request from a developer to ditch a £2.6million contribution in to Glasgow’s Fastlink as “totally unacceptable”.

The reaction comes after the Evening Times revealed the future of the the city’s new expressway bus route was put under threat after Glasgow Harbour Developments Ltd asked not to pay up its share.

The developer asked to be cleared of paying an obligatory contribution towards the Clyde Fastlink’s northside route, which was a condition in its plans to build a multi-million pound development adjacent to the Riverside Museum.

If approved, the site, where Scotway House stood before it was destroyed by a fire last year, would include a casino, a cinema, a hotel and retail space.

But the council’s planning applications committee shelved making a decision for another six months after disagreeing with the request.

John Gilbertson, of the Partick Community Council, said: “The developer clearly does not want to pay that kind of money.

“But as it was an obligation within the planning application they have known for while they had to pay it towards the development.

“It is totally unacceptable that the developer has done this and threatened to pull out of the project.

“Saying that, it is prime property and if this falls through another developer will swoop in.”

Mr Gilbertson added: “The council are right to defer the decision and I hope they put the necessary pressure on the developer to pay their contribution.

“If not, it could set a dangerous precedent to set.

“If the request not to pay up is accepted, what is to stop other developers asking to bypass obligations which aid public infrastructure?”

Members of the Kelvingrove and Yorkhill Community Council also praised the planning committee for their decision.

Lee Grant, the secretary of the community council, said: “Fastlink needs to happen.

“The Kelvingrove and Yorkhill Community Council are fully supportive of the council’s position in holding out to ensure the Clyde Fastlink is completed with a contribution from the developer.

“We believe it to be a key part of the regeneration of this area and ultimately, will help to ensure the success of this development.”

The developer, part of the Peel Group, motioned the request after saying the £25m they have already pumped in to public investment, as well as a scheduled £4m investment, should be taken in to account.

Clyde Fastlink is a £40m project to improve the city’s network.