Our planning rules need to be changed
This week, Halfway Community Council wrote in opposition to South Lanarkshire Council’s proposal to include Newhouse Farm and Hallside East in the Local Development Plan (LDP) as potential sites for residential development.
The objection rightly raised concerns about the capacity of the local infrastructure to cope with additional housing and the ever-diminishing green space between the communities of Uddingston, Cambuslang and Blantyre.
Having spent a number of years living in Blantyre, I agree with Halfway Community Council’s concerns and I commend them for tackling the issue at this stage of the planning process.
Unfortunately, for those without specialist knowledge, the planning system can be complicated and inaccessible.
Many people will only ever hear about the Local Development Plan when an investor puts forward a controversial proposal that the local community is largely opposed to.
Much to their frustration, objectors will often be told that the plans are in line with the LDP.
This can leave local people feeling like they have lost the battle before it has begun.
For large applications, proposals will always be considered by the planning committee.
But, if permission is refused, the proposer has a right to appeal whilst objectors have no right of appeal when applications are granted.
Ultimately, I believe the current planning system makes it difficult for communities to feel engaged in the planning process.
It cannot be right that developers and investors have all the rights and communities have none.
The Scottish Government is currently reviewing planning legislation in Scotland but, disappointingly, the minister for local government and housing has already ruled out a thirdparty right of appeal.
Having been a councillor in Rutherglen South, I know that such a right would have been welcomed by those who were opposed to the new Cathkin Relief Road in Rutherglen and the option of an appeal would also provide a back-up plan for communities in Hamilton, Burnbank and Blantyre who are living near the site of the proposed waste incinerator in Whitehill.
It was a huge disappointment to the campaign groups and local people, including Monica Lennon MSP, who had invested their time and effort in a successful campaign to get permission for the original facility refused by South Lanarkshire Council, only for it to be overturned when the developer appealed to the Scottish Government.
Two years on, the developer is now applying for permission for a bigger incinerator including a chimney stack that stands at one and a half times the height of South Lanarkshire Council Headquarters. Having spent time going door to door with Blantyre Community Council, I know that there is strong local opposition to this proposal and people as far as Halfway are concerned about the potential impact it may have.
Being a short distance from residential areas including an authorised travelling showpeople’s site that is just 83 metres away, this area is the wrong place for such a facility and I hope that South Lanarkshire Council will stand firm on its original decision to refuse permission for it to go ahead.
It cannot be right that developers and investors have all the rights