1200 homes threat to green belt site
Developers want farmland earmarked for housing
Over 1200 houses could be built on green belt land on the Blantyre/newton border if proposals to the new local development plan (LDP) are agreed.
Developers have submitted proposals to South Lanarkshire Council, asking for a large site off Calder Road to be designated for residential use.
It includes a proposal to build 90 houses on what is currently agricultural land at Hallside New House Farm, Westburn Road at the Calder Road, to the north of Blantyre.
But the Advertiser understands that if all 40 hectares of the identified site are designated for residential use other developers could also submit planning applications to build there.
The site could in total accommodate more than 1200 new homes.
The proposal was included in the council’s updated main issues report, a key document in the preparation of the 2019 LDP.
It seeks to identify different ways in which land can be used in the future.
South Lanarkshire Council was asked if designating the land for residential use would pave the way for other developers to build at New House Farm.
Pauline Elliott, head of planning and economic development, said: “This is one of a number of sites which landowners or developers have suggested to the council could be included in the council’s next local development plan.
“These sites are assessed on a number of factors including landscape and environmental impact, the availability of infrastructure such as water and sewerage, flood risk, accessibility and impact on the road network, with a view to deciding which can be considered to accord with the council’s development strategy.
“No decisions will be made on which sites to identify for development and to include in the next LDP until the outcome of the current consultation exercise has been considered and assessed.
“The deadline for submission of responses on this current consultation has recently been extended by two weeks until August 18, taking into account the summer period.”
To view or comment on the main issues report visit www. southlanarkshire.gov.uk.