Owners tight lipped over plans for site

Garage to be demolished

The derelict garage on Stonelaw Road is no longer for sale, but its owners are remaining tight lipped about its long-term plans for the future.

MRH Retail Limited advertised the Burnside Property for sale for around two years.

But the company which manages dozens of petrol stations across the UK - this week confirmed it was holding on to the asset.

The news comes a month after MRH Retail submitted a planning application to South Lanarkshire Council seeking permission to demolish the former shop and canopy.

If given the green light, the company will also build a 1.8metre high security fence along the south boundary, where it neighbours Stonelaw Towers, and exhume and dispose of the underground storage tanks.

Alison Black, secretary of Burnside Community Council, said the community was keen to see a suitable and sustainable use for the site going forward.

She said: “Given the history of the site, we hope we don’t go down the same route as before and have unsavoury applications for use like the old car wash.

“I think the feeling is at least the planning application is for demolition of the building and not another planning application for a development that could turn out to be an eyesore, which has happened in the past.

“This would mean it is left safe and secure.”

She added: “It would be nice to see a planning application put in for something that would enhance the area and benefit the rest of the traders in Burnside.”

A MRH Retail spokeswoman said: “We have submitted a planning application to demolish the existing buildings on the site and erect a new fence. This is to improve security. We expect the work itself to take no more than two months, once the local planning has approved the works, and disruption to the local community will be minimal.”

Plans to build a secure a fence around the site had raised concerns about the current 3.5metre high boundary wall which separates Stonelaw Tower from the garage. However, it has since been confirmed that residents own the title deeds to the wall and it will remain in place.