Residents’ fury as car park signs are put up
Tunnock’s move‘makes mockery of planning process’
Furious Uddingston villagers hit out this week after signs for a Tunnock’s car park were erected on the former Old Mill Road surgery site before planning permission was granted.
Residents were notified of the proposals for the temporary car park to accommodate 40 spaces on the corner of Old Mill Road and Croftbank Crescent - last Tuesday, January 17.
But Tunnock’s jumped the gun, put signs up at the site and padlocked the gate.
One resident of 10 years said: “This is a total disgrace. It makes a mockery of the planning process.
“It seems like it’s a fait accompli without any proper and fair consultation with residents. It’s a total affront on the part of Tunnock’s.”
A planning declaration was dated December 16, but the site was already being tarmacked and levelled.
The plans state that the area is to be used as a car park for two years. A sign in red letters attached to a fence visible on Tuesday morning at the site states: ‘Thomas Tunnock Temporary Car Park Employees Only’.
A supporting statement lodged with the plans points out that the car park is for Tunnock’s bakery staff. An agreement has been reached between Tunnock’s and Balmer Care Homes who own the neighbouring Croftbank House nursing home.
It adds: “In the short term the area will be used by Tunnock’s staff who will be displaced by the construction operations associated with the recent approved factory extension.
“It is anticipated that this will take place between May 2017 and February 2018. Beyond this date, the area will be used by Tunnock’s staff until the expiry of the temporary consent now applied for. Thereafter the site will revert to occupation by the owner.
“Local residents have previously asked that vehicles belonging to Tunnock’s staff do not park on the surrounding streets wherever possible.
“This proposal addresses the requirement to find alternative parking for the duration of the construction project and it is also one of a number of initiatives being pursued by Tunnock’s to reduce the pressure on parking around their factory.”
The Old Mill Road car park plan was discussed at Uddingston Community Council’s meeting last Thursday. It was attended by 12 community council members and 10 members of the public. The Advertiser understands that all of them opposed Tunnock’s plans.
Uddingson Community Council member Jimmy Keenan who lives in nearby Greenrig Street in a letter of objection lodged with planners stated: “The layout of traffic and street parking is currently the cause of confusion, dangerous activity and aggressive behaviour. Allowing access for cars to park at this site will add to existing problems.”
The Advertiser asked Tunnock’s to comment on the sign being erected before planning permission was granted, but they did not return our call before deadline.
South Lanarkshire Council’s head of planning and economic development, Pauline Elliott, said: “I can confirm an application has been received for the use of former doctor’s surgery site at Old Mill Road as a car park for temporary period (2 years), full details of the application are available on our online planning portal. The application is currently out for consultation, comments and representations should be submitted by February 7, 2017”.
Balmer Developments were granted planning permission for a 30-bed care home at the car park site in February 2014, which is adjacent to their existing 68-bed Croftbank House.