Philips home plan gets green light
Council rubber-stamps proposal for 200 new houses
Plans to turn the former Philips factory in Hamilton into a major new housing development have been approved by South Lanarkshire Council.
Around 200 new homes could be built on the seven-hectare site at Wellhall Road after planning permission in principle was granted.
The factory will now be demolished with the land re-profiled before developers will come in to create the new development.
In February, Signify – formerly Philips Lighting – carried out a public consultation event to allow residents to find out more about the proposals.
An illustrative site layout included plans for two-storey detached, semi-detached and terraced houses as well as four-storey blocks of flats.
Detailed planning permission will have to be granted by the council before any work can be started on the housing development.
Hamilton area manager for planning and building standards Bernard Darroch told the council’s planning committee on Tuesday, September 22, that “no objections were received from consultees subject to conditions”.
One objection from a member of the public was received in relation to a loss of sunlight caused by proposed flats to properties in Philips Wynd, however the illustrative site layout is only indicative and would be subject to change when detailed permission is sought.
Concerns around drainage were also raised but the council’s roads department made “no adverse comments” provided a flood risk/drainage assessment be carried out and a sustainable urban drainage system was included within the site.
Hamilton West and Earnock councillor Mary Donnelly welcomed the proposals but added that she was “saddened that we have lost Philips”.
In November last year, the plant – which used to make SOX (sodium with oxide) lamps – closed its doors for the last time after almost three-quarters of a century in the town.