Successful appeal over housing plan
Developer to get permission if agreement with council reached
HUNDREDS of homes could now be built at Thornliebank after an independent reporter – appointed by the Scottish Government – agreed with an appeal by a developer.
Glasgow councillors had rejected Bellway Homes’ plan for a 165home development on Burnfield Road due to road safety concerns.
They feared a proposal to widen the road by one metre would not adequately address congestion issues.
But reporter Michael Shiel has stated planning permission will now be granted if an agreement can be reached between the council and the developer over the provision of open space.
Conditions of the planning approval would require action to be taken to address issues on Burnfield Road.
Kyle Thornton, a local councillor, objected to the plans due to his concerns over the Burnfield Road access.
He said the reporter’s decision “flies in the face of the local community and local democracy”.
“This road is already congested and narrow and will only get worse when these new homes are built.”
Residents and local business, Bell & Bain Ltd, also opposed the plans. It said the road was “struggling to cope” with the current traffic. “The road is just not wide enough,” the company told councillors.
It said access to the new development should come off Thornliebank Road.
However, council officers had recommended councillors approved the application. They said a “robust transport assessment” had been provided on behalf of Bellway Homes, which said the increase in traffic was “not considered to be excessive”.
The reporter said he appreciated “the reasons for the council’s concerns” but acknowledged the applicant planned to widen road, which it said “would existing conditions”.
His report said the “appellants have also committed to undertake further mitigation works”, including reinstating yellow lines to prevent parking on the south-western side of Burnfield Road, measures to prevent obstructions and a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph.
Bellway Homes has also stated it will provide a formal pedestrian crossing on Burnfield Road.
These proposed actions have been included in the conditions of planning permission, if the open space agreement is reached.
“Although the suggestion has been made in representations that all access could be taken from Thornliebank Road, this is not feasible because of the change of ground levels within the site,” the reporter’s statement adds.
“I am satisfied that subject to the improvement and mitigation measures proposed, the traffic implications of this development do not justify the refusal of planning permission.” the improve