Builder’s contribution ‘falls short’ says group
£2.34m agreed for Cambuslang East communities
Planning permission for the controversial Gilbertfield housing development has been formalised as Persimmon Homes agrees to pay £2.34million in community contributions.
But Halfway Community Council said the money falls short of what is needed to improve infrastructure in the Cambuslang East ward.
South Lanarkshire Council this month signed an agreement with the housing giant which sets out its financial commitments to the area.
The Section 75 agreement is the final stage of the planning process which will see 386 homes built on land off Gilbertfield Road.
The majority of the cash - £1.28million - will be spent by education to increase provision at Cairns and St Cadoc’s primaries and Trinity and Cathkin high schools.
Other schools and nurseries within the catchment area could, however, also benefit from the cash if required.
A further £190,000 will be spent on community resources, including North Halfway Hall and library, while a one-off payment of £15,000 will go towards the cost of a feasibility study for a park-andride at Cambuslang Train Station.
A final contribution of £868,000 will be paid to South Lanarkshire Council for affordable housing.
Liisa Hepworth, secretary of Halfway Community Council, said: “We are requesting that South Lanarkshire Council permit Halfway Community Council immediately to participate in all assessments, discussions and decisions concerning the future spend of the community gain money that has been agreed with Persimmon as part of planning application at Gilbertfield.
“The community council has ideas, based on community input and previous community consultation exercises, on what community facilities and amenities are needed to address community concerns.
“We are certainly open to discussion as to what the improvement in community resources could be, but how the council can say that will be spent at North Halfway Hall and library without speaking to local residents is unfair.
“This is the reason behind our bid to use the Community Empowerment Act to ensure we are part of the decision making process.”
Ms Hepworth welcomed the investment in education but warned repeated extensions and investment at existing schools falls far short of the community’s desire for a new high school in the Cambuslang East Ward.
She said the ever-increasing population warranted investment in a new school, as well as roads, leisure facilities and parking provision.